CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Church Repairs (VAT)

Anne McIntosh: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what recent representations the Church Commissioners have made on the reduction of VAT on church repairs.

Stuart Bell: The hon. Lady will be interested to hear that I am going to Brussels tomorrow with members of the Church of England VAT Group for meetings with UK representative officials and with Commissioner Frits Bolkestein.
	I have also had a meeting with the Economic Secretary, who has been most helpful and supportive.

Clergy

Ben Chapman: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners when the McClean review of clergy terms of service is expected to deliver its final report.

Stuart Bell: The review group will submit its first full report to the Archbishops' Council in December. It will look at ways of improving security for clergy who do not have freehold of office or employment contracts. The group hopes to submit its final report, which will consider the future of the freehold, by the end of 2004.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Parliamentary Boundaries

Michael Fabricant: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission when he expects the Commission to absorb the functions of the bodies responsible for reviewing parliamentary boundaries.

Anthony Steen: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission when the Electoral Commission will absorb the functions of bodies responsible for reviewing parliamentary boundaries.

Humfrey Malins: I have been asked to reply.
	I understand that the Government have not yet announced a date for the transfer to the Electoral Commission of the functions of the Parliamentary Boundary Commissions, as provided for in section 16 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

Postal Voting

Graham Allen: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission if he will make a statement on progress with extension of postal voting.

Humfrey Malins: I have been asked to reply.
	It is for the Government, not the Electoral Commission, to take steps to extend the availability of all-postal voting. However, the Electoral Commission submitted recommendations to Government on the future use of postal voting at local elections in their report "The shape of elections to come" in July 2003. It has also been directed by Government to recommend up to three European Parliamentary regions where all postal pilots would take place at the European Parliamentary elections in 2004.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Packaging

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to require fast food outlets to use only biodegradable packaging.

Elliot Morley: We have no plans at present to require fast food outlets to use only biodegradable packaging. The concept of degradable plastics that are made from mineral oil (a fossil fuel resource) and specifically designed for disposal with no beneficial recovery potential, runs counter to the aim to increase recycling. In addition, if disposed of in landfill rather than, for example, being composted, biodegradable waste breaks down to release greenhouse gases. It is for this reason that the Landfill Directive requires member states to significantly reduce the amount of biodegradable waste going to landfill.
	The Government do support the development of biodegradable plastics from non-fossil sources. The Government-Industry Forum on Non-Food Uses of Crops has concluded that there is a opportunity to produce compostable packaging materials in the UK. Defra is currently drawing up a Non-Food Crops Strategy. A draft is expected to be issued for consultation early in 2004.
	The Government are also committed to reducing the incidents of fast food litter. We recently launched a consultation document entitled "Voluntary Code of Practice for the Fast Food Industry—Options for Reducing Fast Food Litter and Waste in the Local Environment". The consultation closes on 30 January 2004.

Climate Change

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the steps the Government is taking to ensure that the Kyoto Protocol becomes legally binding.

Elliot Morley: When the Kyoto Protocol enters into force, the targets it sets will become binding on the parties involved. In order for the Protocol to enter into force it must be signed by at least 55 countries including Annex 1 (developed) countries representing 55 per cent. of developed countries carbon dioxide emissions in 1990. Currently 119 countries representing 44.2 per cent. of emissions have ratified. Following withdrawal of the US from Kyoto in 2001, ratification by Russia is crucial to meet the 55 per cent. target and bring the Protocol into force.
	The Prime Minister has written to President Putin twice this year to stress the importance of Russian ratification in the near future, and other ministerial colleagues press their Russian counterparts on the issue whenever appropriate. Officials also meet regularly with Russian counterparts and we have highlighted the significant economic, as well as environmental benefits to Russia if they ratify. We are confident that the Protocol will come into force in 2004.

Commercial Lobbyists

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance her Department has issued on the (a) formal and (b) informal interaction between civil servants and commercial lobbyists.

Alun Michael: Matters of propriety and conduct such as formal and informal interaction between employees of Defra and commercial lobbyists are covered by the general requirements of the Civil Service Code. The Code, along with further detailed guidance and advice is reproduced in the department's staff handbooks. The Cabinet Office also issued formal guidance on contact with lobbyists and this was made available to ex-MAFF staff via Office Notice and is replicated in the ex-DETR Staff Handbook.

Crop Spraying

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when her Department plans to introduce crop spray buffer zones for land next to housing.

Alun Michael: No decision has been taken to introduce crop spray buffer zones for land next to housing. A public consultation on the viability of no spray buffer zones closed on 31 October. A copy of the consultation paper will be placed in the House of Commons Library shortly.

Crop Spraying

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect on farmers of the introduction of crop spray buffer zones for land next to housing.

Alun Michael: The public consultation on the viability of the introduction of no spray buffer zones closed on 31 October. The responses will help to inform a full Regulatory Impact Assessment including a cost/benefit analysis of effects on farmers.

Export Health Certificates

Gwyn Prosser: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many export health certificates have been issued since 1 February.

Ben Bradshaw: Since 1 February 2003, 207 export health certificates have been issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for exports of sheep. 145 of these certificates have been certified to enable exports to take place. Details of the number of certificates issued for exports to each country are set out in the following table. These figures are derived from the computer system used to issue export health certificates and are subject to updating and amendment. Figures for certificates issued by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland (DARDNI) for exports of sheep will follow shortly.
	
		
			 Country of destination Breeding Fattening Slaughter 
		
		
			 Belgium 5 0 0 
			 Denmark 1 0 0 
			 France 12 49 0 
			 Germany 4 2 0 
			 Ireland 21 0 0 
			 Netherlands 11 19 0 
			 Sweden 1 0 0 
			 Isle of Man 18 0 0 
			 Oman 1 0 0 
			 St. Helena 1 0 0 
			 Total 75 70 0

Flooding

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the flood defence budget will be in the next three financial years.

Elliot Morley: The Government is committed to maintenance and improvement of flood and coastal defences, including those to reduce the risk of coastal erosion as well as flooding. Central Government's spending plans for flood and coastal defence remain as announced following the 2002 Spending Review:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			  
			  
			 2004–05 469 
			 2005–06 564 
		
	
	These figures include Defra funding and funding from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister through local authority mechanisms as well as an estimated £20 million revenue from a new funding stream in 2005–06.
	Provision for 2006–07 will be set in the Government's next Spending Review in 2004.

Flooding

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what fiscal contribution district councils are required to make to flood defence capital projects.

Elliot Morley: District councils are empowered under the Land Drainage Act 1991 to undertake works to manage flood risk on watercourses which have not been designated as "main rivers" (for which the Environment Agency has the requisite powers) and which are not in an internal drainage district (for which the relevant internal drainage board would have powers).
	The district council is responsible for funding those projects which it directly promotes but Defra makes available grant aid at a rate of 45 per cent. for capital flood defence projects which meet the Department's criteria and (for those projects only) the council can also apply to the Department for a Supplementary Credit Approval to cover borrowing for the balance of expenditure after grant. The latter results in support from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) through its local authority funding mechanism.
	The authority primarily responsible for managing flood risk in England is the Environment Agency. The Agency obtains part of its funding for capital flood defence projects along with other aspects of this activity from county councils and unitary authorities in the form of levies agreed annually by the relevant Flood Defence Committee. However, it is the intention that these levies should be largely replaced from April 2004 by direct funding from Defra as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced to the House on 12 March. An appropriate transfer of resource from ODPM to Defra will take place to reflect this change in funding. A further change we are making is to transfer responsibility from district councils to the Agency of those ordinary watercourses identified as creating the greatest flood risk.

Foot and Mouth

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which of the farms in the Alnwick area of Northumberland declared to be infected places in the foot and mouth epidemic were subsequently found to have no positive blood test results.

Ben Bradshaw: Information relating to individual premises or farms is held by Defra in strict confidence and, in accordance with the Data Protection Act, cannot be released. Statistical information below county level cannot be released for the same reason, as it may enable premises to be identified. I can, however, report that in Northumberland, during the 2001 outbreak of foot and mouth disease, 75 out of 88 infected premises were sampled and 17 returned negative results.
	A negative lab result does not mean that infection was absent. Each case was confirmed on the basis of a clinical diagnosis of foot and mouth disease by the vet on the farm, supported by convincing clinical evidence.

Landfill

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many incidents of pollution from landfill sites have been investigated in each of the last three years; how many prosecutions resulted; and what amount of fines was levied.

Elliot Morley: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 30 October 2003, Official Report, column 374W. All of the incidents referred to in that reply were investigated by the Environment Agency.

Large Combustion Plant Directive

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which United Kingdom power stations have been granted derogation from the Large Combustion Plant Directive.

Ben Bradshaw: So far the revised Large Combustion Plants Directive (2001/80/EC) has been implemented in the UK only for plants subject to it that were first licensed after July 1987, and it will not apply to other plants until 1 January 2008. Derogations under the Directive for these plants will be a matter for Environment Agency in England and Wales and their equivalents in rest of the United Kingdom. Operators of plants licensed before July 1987 may apply for a limited hours derogation before 30 June 2004. Such a derogation would allow the plant to be exempt from complying with the emission limits or the national emission reduction plan established under the Directive, but it would mean that the plant could operate for no more than 20,000 operational hours between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2015. Other applications for derogations would be made nearer the time that the Directive applies.

Large Combustion Plant Directive

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to implement the Large Combustion Plant Directive in the north-east region.

Ben Bradshaw: The Large Combustion Plants Directive (2001/80/EC) applies thoughout the United Kingdom. It has already been implemented for plants first licensed after July 1987. The Government have just completed a consultation on proposals to implement this Directive for plants first licensed before July 1987. We are considering the responses to that consultation and the Government will take a decision shortly on the most appropriate implementation approach; whichever approach is adopted would apply in the north-east region.

Nuclear Waste

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had about the possible siting of a new nuclear waste facility.

Elliot Morley: None.

Ozone Depleting Substances

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what quantities of CFC have been collected and safely destroyed from the licensed facilities operating in the UK under EU Regulation 2037/2000 on Ozone Depleting Substances in each year since implementation of the regulations.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 30 October 2003
	We are currently collating the figures and we will write to the hon. Member as soon as they are available.

Ozone Depleting Substances

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost to public funds has been of implementing EU Regulation 2037/2000 on Ozone Depleting Substances in each year since implementation of the regulations.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 30 October 2003
	Most of the enforcement of EC Regulation 2037/2000 is carried out by agencies during the normal course of their duties. There are no estimates available of costs specifically related to this. The Environment Agency does not monitor the costs of implementing individual regulations. Charges are levied for applications and subsistence on waste management licences for storage and treatment sites and the Agency seeks to recover relevant costs, including site supervision.
	However, with respect to waste implications of the Regulation, the principal public costs have fallen on local authorities. Local authorities in England received £40 million to assist with the costs of storing and processing refrigerators and freezers in 2002–03. This was in addition to £6 million provided for the period 1 January 2002 to 31 March 2002. Spending Review 2002 included future funding within the Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services block which will be distributed through Formula Standard Shares (FSAs).

Ozone Depleting Substances

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether local authorities are permitted to offer contracts for the purpose of compliance with EU Regulation 2037/2000 on Ozone Depleting Substances to licensed facilities whose recycling plants have not passed validation tests.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 30 October 2003
	This issue is regulated through the duty of care under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 which requires that the holder of waste: (a) may only pass it on to an authorised person such as a waste management licence holder or a person authorised for transport purposes, for example a registered carrier of controlled waste, and (b) should take all reasonable measures to prevent the fly tipping of waste or the escape of the waste from his control or that of any other person.
	Generally, a fridge recycler cannot treat fridges until the recycling plant has been licensed and validated. However, the recycler or another party might properly store such fridges at a licensed storage site, pending treatment. Up until October 2002, the Environment Agency allowed operators to make applications and store fridges pending their determination. A local authority, for instance, could lawfully establish contracts with such operators in the expectation that their fridges would not be treated immediately.

Parrett Catchment Project

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the level of capital funding from central government for the Parrett sluice is in 2003–04; and what role the Parrett catchment project has in the Parrett sluice.

Elliot Morley: Defra provides funding to operating authorities for capital flood defence schemes and related studies that meet set criteria and achieve an appropriate priority score. No applications have been received for capital works on the Parrett Sluice, but I understand the Environment Agency will be seeking grant on related studies in 2003–04.
	Defra has provided funding to the Environment Agency for both the preparation of a Catchment Flood Management Plan for the River Parrett and strategic studies for the Lower Parrett and Tone. I understand that the Agency are consulting on the outcome of those studies, and that the Parrett Sluice is one of the options being considered. However the flood management strategy for the Lower Parrett and Tone has yet to be submitted formally to Defra for consideration, and it would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment on the options at this stage.
	The Parrett Catchment Project is a partnership of all stakeholders with an interest on Flood Risk Management in the area, and will therefore be key to forming proposals which will be prepared by the Environment Agency.

Pesticides

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many pesticides are approved for use in the UK; and how many have (a) full approval and (b) provisional approval.

Alun Michael: A total of 4,096 pesticides are approved for use in the UK. Of these, 2,783 hold full approval and 1,313 are provisionally approved.

Pesticides

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment the Pesticides Safety Directorate has made of the safety of the use of pesticides in school grounds and playing fields.

Alun Michael: The assessment of the safety of the use of pesticides in school grounds and playing fields is covered by the specific assessments carried out by the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) when evaluating risks to human health prior to any decision to grant approval for the marketing and use of a pesticide.
	There are an extensive range of legislative and administrative controls over the approval, storage, marketing and use of pesticides. Applicants for pesticide approvals must show that their products are effective, humane, and pose no unacceptable risks to human beings, non-target species, or the wider environment before approval will be granted. All pesticide manufacturers are required to provide a wide range of scientific data that are evaluated by scientific experts in the PSD or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). These evaluations are then scrutinised by the independent experts of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP), who make recommendations to Ministers. Only when the Ministers responsible for pesticides, are satisfied on the basis of this expert advice that a pesticide can be used without unacceptable risk to people, animals, and the environment, will approval be given to put it on the market.
	As part of the risk assessment process, the exposure of bystanders and persons re-entering the treated area is considered. Specific estimates of potential dermal and inhalation exposure are made and the risk assessed directly.

Pesticides

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many of the pesticides in use in the United Kingdom which have only provisional approval have had this status for (a) one to three years, (b) three to five years and (c) more than five years; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: As at 5 November 2003, of the pesticides currently holding provisional approval status in the UK,
	(a) 450 have been provisionally approved for periods of one to three years;
	(b) 308 have been provisionally approved for periods of three to five years;
	(c) 344 have been provisionally approved for more than five years.

Pesticides

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the amounts of pesticides used in grain stores in the United Kingdom.

Alun Michael: Assessments of the amounts of pesticides used in grain stores are carried out every four years, as a part of the Government's regular programme of surveys of pesticide use.
	The most recent published results relate to grain harvested in 1998 and stored in the 1998–99 season. In total 13.31 tonnes of pesticides were used to treat the fabric of buildings, and 10.95 tonnes were used to treat stored grain.
	The survey has been repeated for grain harvested in 2002 and stored in the 2002–03 season. Data from this survey are currently being assessed and it is expected that the results will be published early in 2004.

Pesticides

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what procedures her Department has for monitoring the use of pesticides in food produce entering the United Kingdom.

Alun Michael: Pesticide residues in both imported and domestically-produced food are controlled through UK Regulations, which lay down Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for pesticide/commodity combinations covering the components of the UK diet.
	The Government's monitoring programme for pesticide residues in both home produced and imported food is overseen by the independent Pesticide Residues Committee (PRC), Some 4,105 food samples were analysed in 2002 for a wide range of pesticides with the result that the number of individual pesticide/commodity combinations analysed was in excess of 180,000. The proportion of imports in each survey varies depending on the balance of imports and domestic produce on the market. Overall in 2002, 52 per cent. of the samples tested were imports.
	All the monitoring results are published on a website:
	www.pesticides.gov.uk/committees/PRC/prc.htm

Pesticides

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which EU countries impose a pesticide tax; and at what levels.

Alun Michael: We are aware of pesticide taxes in Belgium, Denmark, France, Norway and Sweden. To the best of our knowledge, the current tax rates applied are:
	Belgium
	Two hundred and forty eight euros per kg of active ingredient for non-agricultural uses of pesticides containing atrazine, diuron, isoproturon, simazine and pentachlorophenol.
	Denmark
	Tax levied as a percentage of retail price excluding VAT.
	Insecticides attract a 54 per cent. tax, herbicides 33 per cent. and non-agricultural pesticides 3 per cent.
	France
	Seven tax bands for different active ingredients. Tax rate ranges from zero to about Euro1.68 euros per kg.
	Norway
	Basic rate is NOK 15 per treated hectare multiplied by a banding factor of 0.5, 1, 4 or 8.
	Sweden
	SEK 20 per kg of active ingredient.

Printer Cartridges

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the change in waste to UK landfills of excluding printer cartridges from the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Government have not undertaken an assessment on the change in waste to UK landfills as a result of not including printer cartridges in the scope of the WEEE Directive. The Directive applies to whole products placed on to the market and not to individual components, sub-assemblies or consumables, such as printer cartridges.
	There are currently a large number of businesses which refill printer cartridges, and the Government would like to see this continue. Further, cartridges which are in a printer at the time it is discarded will have to be reused or recycled.

Recycling Plants

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether licences have been issued to recycling plants before validation of plants has been completed.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 30 October 2003
	Yes. Licences for all such plant are issued before validation, so that the plant may store fridges at the site, and abide by the duty of care. However, validation is required before the plant can begin fridge reprocessing.

Renewable Energy

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what reviews have been undertaken in each of the last three years of renewable energy schemes in Cambridgeshire; and what the associated cost to public funds was of the reviews.

Stephen Timms: I have been asked to reply.
	During 1999, Government Offices were asked to facilitate the production of studies into the potential for generation of renewable energy in their region. For the East of England, the findings were made available towards the end of 2000. The cost of professional assistance for the Region as a whole was about £50,000, but it is not realistic to apportion this across the six counties concerned.
	Subsequently, Government Offices were invited to bid for monies for a two year period from March 2002 to raise awareness and activity on renewable energy generation with special reference to the planning system. For the East of England, the sum involved is around £250,000, with other matched funds, but again this cannot be taken down to county level.

Rural Services

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when Lord Haskins' report on reform of Government delivery of rural services will be made public; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: Lord Haskins was asked to review the way the Government delivers its rural policy. We have recently received his report and are considering his recommendations carefully. We intend to publish the report, and the Government's interim response to it, shortly.

Sewerage

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she has taken to introduce first time sewerage schemes in rural areas.

Elliot Morley: Sewerage undertakers have a statutory duty to provide, improve and extend their public sewer network. It is a matter for each sewerage company to decide on its programme of work in relation to this duty.
	Companies have submitted their draft business plans for 2005–10 to the Office of Water Services (Ofwat). It was open to companies to include costed proposals to extend or improve their sewerage network, these could also include first time sewerage schemes. Ofwat will examine their plans, and decide the appropriate revenue requirement, having taken advice from other stakeholders, particularly the Environment Agency, for companies when it sets price limits in 2004.
	Ofwat have published a summary of companies' proposals and the issues that arise from these plans. It will publish its draft determination in July 2004 for consultation before making its final decisions in November 2004.

Sewerage

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from Hambledon and Wormley residents concerning recent statements by Southern Water on first time sewerage schemes.

Elliot Morley: The Department has received no recent representations from Hambledon and Wormley residents concerning recent statements by Southern Water on first time sewerage schemes.

Animal Welfare

Gwyn Prosser: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many live sheep have been exported from the United Kingdom since 1 February for (a) slaughter and (b) further fattening.

Ben Bradshaw: The total number of live sheep certified for export from Great Britain since 1 February 2003 is shown in the following table. These figures are derived from the computer system used to issue export health certificates and are subject to updating and amendment. The figures for sheep certified for export from Northern Ireland will follow shortly.
	
		
			 Country of destination Breeding Fattening Slaughter 
		
		
			 Belgium 22 0 0 
			 Denmark 3 0 0 
			 France 912 16,664 0 
			 Germany 28 24 0 
			 Ireland 54 0 0 
			 Netherlands 72 5,506 0 
			 Sweden 1 0 0 
			 Isle of Man 100 0 0 
			 Oman 1 0 0 
			 St. Helena 6 0 0 
			 Total 1,199 22,194 0

Animal Welfare

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to reject the draft Regulation on the Transportation of Animals unless it allows the United Kingdom (a) to continue to enforce the Minimum Values legislation and (b) to refuse to permit live equines to be exported for slaughter; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Defra are playing a full role in the discussions in Brussels on the draft proposals on the transport of animals. We are reviewing the options available to us to achieve controls that are similar in effect to those in our current rules.

Animal Welfare

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the progress the Government have made in ensuring that the welfare of (a) equines and (b) livestock will be improved in the Regulation on the Transportation of Animals.

Ben Bradshaw: We are playing a full role in the discussion in Brussels on these draft proposals which are likely to come before the Council of Ministers in December.

Water Industry

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the changes in the overall environmental impact of water consumption by (a) consumers and (b) industry since 1997; and what measures are being taken to reduce consumption.

Elliot Morley: The Environment Agency has a duty to secure the proper use of water resources, ensuring that a balance is maintained between the needs of water consumers and the environment. Between 1997 and 2003, household water use remained fairly stable at about 8,600 Megalitres per day, whilst non-household use fell from 4320 to 3823 Megalitres per day. The Government undertakes a range of activities to encourage sustainable water use. The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations were introduced in 1999 and set the maximum water consumption of certain domestic fittings and appliances. The Envirowise programme provides practical environmental advice to businesses to help reduce their water consumption, and the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme has recently been extended to include designated water efficient technologies. Water companies have been set annual leakage targets since 1998 and are also under a statutory duty to promote the efficient use of water by their customers.

Wild Birds (Imports)

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  on how many occasions the importation of wild caught birds has been stopped and enforcement action taken in the last five years;
	(2)  how many people have been successfully prosecuted under existing (a) international and (b) UK regulations for the illegal importation of wild caught (i) parrots and (ii) other birds in the last five years for which figures are available.

Elliot Morley: For the period in question, one person has been successfully prosecuted for the illegal importation of parrots, and two people for the illegal importation of birds of prey. The prosecutions were for international import offences under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.

PRIME MINISTER

Correspondence

Tim Collins: To ask the Prime Minister which Department will answer the letter from the hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale to him of 21 October concerning the proposed closure of the Holehird Leonard Cheshire home for the disabled in Windermere; and when it will do so.

Tony Blair: My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health will be replying to the letter this week.

GM Trials

Ian Gibson: To ask the Prime Minister what response he has made to the letter sent to him by 114 United Kingdom scientists relating to GM trials.

Tony Blair: I strongly believe that science and technology are vital to our country's future prosperity. As a government, we need to ensure that the UK continues to be one of the top countries in the world for scientific research.
	I read the letter from Professor Burke and others with interest. In light of this, I have responded to the letter re-iterating that this government's approach is to make decisions on GM crops on the basis of sound science. The reason why we have not yet made a formal response to the results of the farm-scale evaluations is that we are waiting to hear the assessment of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, which we expect to receive around the end of this year.

Government Prospectus

Andrew Turner: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  when the Government will publish a prospectus setting out its progress and the challenges facing the country;
	(2)  what arrangements the Government proposes for consultation on its progress and response to challenges; and what resources it will commit to this exercise.

Tony Blair: The prospectus will be a Labour Party publication. Individual departments account for their progress annually and regularly publish consultation documents on policy issues that are funded by those departments.

Kenny Richey

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Prime Minister if he intends to make representations for clemency to the President of the United States in the event that the appeal on behalf of Mr. Kenny Richey to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals is unsuccessful.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State gave him today.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Serious Fraud Office

Simon Thomas: To ask the Solicitor-General for what reasons the Serious Fraud Office did not initiate an investigation into whether payments made by a firm whose name has been communicated to her were authorised in the UK.

Harriet Harman: If the hon. Member will write to me, outlining in full his concerns, I should be happy to provide him with a substantive reply.

TRANSPORT

Foreign-registered Lorries

David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many foreign-registered lorries used British roads in the last 12 months.

David Jamieson: During the 12 months ending June 2003, the latest period for which figures are available, foreign-registered lorries made 1.4 million trips to Great Britain. However, the number of vehicles was much less than this because individual lorries may make more than one trip.

Lime Street Station

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the negotiations on Network Rail taking operational control of Lime Street station to be concluded.

Tony McNulty: This is an operational matter for Network Rail. At this stage there is nothing further I can add to my answer of 4 November 2003, Official Report, column 540W, to my hon. Friend.

Montreal Convention

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to amend the Montreal Convention by substituting (a) incident for accident and (b) personal injury for bodily injury.

Tony McNulty: Under the terms of the international 1999 Montreal Convention, in the case of death or injury to passengers airlines are strictly liable for claims up to 100,000 SDKs, and may be exonerated only from higher claims if they can prove absence of negligence.
	Within such a regime it would be inappropriate to broaden the scope of airline liability by substituting (a) incident for accident or (b) personal injury for bodily injury, and I have no plans to propose amendments to the Convention.

Montreal Convention

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will press the European Union not to ratify the Montreal Protocol until airline liability is extended to include the health of air passengers.

Tony McNulty: No. In the interests of airline passengers we look forward to the ratification of the Montreal Convention by the Community and by the member states as soon as possible.

National Rail Training Centre

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to set up a National Rail Training Centre; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Centre for Rail Skills was established in July 2003 as the industry-wide training organisation. The CfRS does not itself provide training courses but is responsible for co-ordinating and facilitating them. This training takes place across the whole of the rail industry and throughout the country and is therefore delivered at a wide range of venues rather than from a single location.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statutory investigatory powers the Department has; which ones will be superseded by use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; and what plans he has for removing these legacy powers.

Tony McNulty: The Department for Transport is responsible for the following statutory investigatory powers:
	Sections 179 and 180 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, 76 and 77 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981, 129 of the Transport Act 1985 and 128 and 129 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, to require production of documents and to call witnesses in the course of an inquiry. 1
	Section 180 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, to inspect a vehicle that has been involved in a road accident.
	Section 75 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982, to obtain information in connection with investigations of air accidents.
	Sections 257 to 260, 267 and 268 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, to require the production of documents and call witnesses under a formal inquiry, and require production of ships' documents and other documents necessary for inspections and examinations.
	Section 119 of the Railways Act 1933, to require the production of information to make directions to railway operators about safety.
	The Department for Transport does not have any statutory investigatory powers that would be superseded by the use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 or plans to amend or repeal any of its powers to that end. The above powers will continue to be used to compel the necessary and proportionate production of information, other than communications data, for the purposes described above. The draft Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) Order would give access to communications data to selected officers of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for the purposes of protecting public safety and preventing and detecting maritime crime.
	Powers under section 259(2)(k) the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 to compel people to assist the Maritime and Coastguard Agency will be retained as they are used for other purposes not relating to accessing communications data. If the draft Order is enacted, these powers will not be used or attempted to be used for obtaining communications data.
	1 Similar powers exist under sections 249 and 249 of the Road Traffic Act 1960 and section 56 of the Goods Vehicle (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995, due to legislative changes these provisions will soon be repealed.

Road Safety

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department (a) has carried out and (b) has collated on the effect on the risk of collision of (i) hand-held and (ii) hands-free mobile phone use when driving.

David Jamieson: The Department commissioned the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents to review the relevant research on the use of any mobile phone while driving. The report, was published in 2001 and is available on-line at:
	www.rospa.com/pdfs/road.mobiles/report.pdf.

Road Safety

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with representatives of police forces concerning the enforcement of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No 4) Regulations 2003; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Department consulted representative police organisations prior to making the new regulation introducing an offence of using a hand-held mobile phone when driving. Enforcement will be a matter for the police.

Road Safety

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to publicise the new regulations concerning the use of mobile phones when driving.

David Jamieson: My Department is publicising the new hand-held mobile phone legislation in a number of ways:
	National radio advertising will begin on 17 November 2003 and run for four weeks.
	National press advertising will appear in late November 2003 and early December 2003.
	Information will be emailed to the top 1,000 UK companies/Central and Local Government Departments in November 2003 encouraging them to cascade messages to employees.
	National press release will be issued on 17 November 2003 and journalists approached to generate national and regional media coverage.
	Variable message signs on motorways will carry messages regarding the new legislation.
	Public relations activity will target relevant HR, business, personnel, office management, legal and auto-fleet magazines in November 2003.
	Promotional materials including posters and leaflets are now available and will be disseminated by Road Safety Officers around the country.
	Detailed information about the new legislation is available on the Think! website www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk and the DfT website.
	The Department is also re-iterating the dangers of driver distraction surrounding the use of all mobiles phones, focusing on the simple message "Switch off before you drive off" in the following ways:
	In January 2004 national radio advertising will run for two weeks.
	National cinema advertising will begin in February 2004 and run for eight weeks.

Road Safety

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to publish further guidance regarding the new regulations on the use of mobile phones when driving, in addition to the guidance on the Department for Transport website.

David Jamieson: The Department's advice leaflet on mobile phones and driving has been updated to take account of the new regulations and the text was recently added to the THINK Road Safety site at www. thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/mobile/index.htm. Printed copies (product code T/INF/885) will shortly be available free of charge from the Department's distribution centre, telephone 0870 122 6236.

Road Safety

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many children under 16 (a) received a serious head injury as a result of a cycling accident and (b) died in each of the last 10 years.

Stephen Ladyman: I have been asked to reply.
	The available information is shown in the tables.
	
		
			 Financial year Number of admissions of children under 16 
		
		
			 1995–96 2,333 
			 1996–97 2,781 
			 1997–98 3,349 
			 1998–99 2,711 
			 1999–2000 3,115 
			 2000–01 3,489 
			 2001–02 3,372 
		
	
	Due to changes in coding methodology it is only possible to provide the last seven years of data.
	
		
			 Calendar year Deaths from head injuries in cyclists All deathsin cyclists 
		
		
			 1993 19 30 
			 1994 27 39 
			 1995 31 43 
			 1996 34 47 
			 1997 25 35 
			 1998 18 29 
			 1999 20 32 
			 2000 14 24 
			 2001 12 19 
			 2002 10 19 
		
	
	Data for 2001 and 2002 may not be directly comparable to those for previous years, due to changes in coding methodology in 2001. The figures should therefore be interpreted with caution.

South Coast Study

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish his response to the Bristol/Bath to South Coast Study.

Tony McNulty: The study is yet to be completed, but it is anticipated that the final report will be finished by the end of this month. The South West Regional Assembly has indicated that they wish to comment on the report, in particular regarding the de-trunking issue which gave rise to the study being commissioned.
	Following receipt of the study report and comments from the Regional Assembly, I will be in a position to make a response.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Consumer Debt

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with (a) the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, (b) representatives of high street banks and building societies and (c) the Financial Services Authority on the issue of consumer debt

Gerry Sutcliffe: My officials and I have had a number of meetings with Citizens Advice, representatives of high street banks and building societies (including trade associations such as the British Banking Association and the Finance and Leasing Association) and the Financial Services Authority to discuss the issue of consumer debt.
	These discussions have covered a number of areas, including how to enshrine responsible landing, joining up Government policy on over-indebtedness, improving access to and the quality of debt advice etc. Government proposals on these issues will be laid out in the White Paper on Consumer Credit.

International Atomic Energy Agency

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make it her policy to agree voluntarily to International Atomic Energy Agency inspections as provided for in the Additional Protocol; and if she will make a statement.

Nigel Griffiths: The protocol additional to the UK/Euratom/IAEA safeguards agreement was approved by the IAEA Board of Governors in June 1998 and was signed by the UK Governor and the European Commission on 22 September 1998. The legislation necessary to implement the protocol in the UK, the Nuclear Safeguards Act 2000, will enter into force when the European Commission has confirmed that it is ready to implement the protocol. Voluntary declarations of the type of information that the UK will be required to provide under Article 2 of the protocol have been provided to the IAEA since 1999. We have also indicated our willingness to allow complementary access visits to locations in the UK, as provided for in our protocol, on a voluntary basis. Prior to entry into force of the Nuclear Safeguards Act, any such access will require the agreement of those responsible for the location concerned.

London Development Agency

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will require the London Development Agency to (a) set an annual target for increasing the total of start-up units in London and (b) publish an annual register showing where such business premises are located.

Jacqui Smith: The London Development Agency currently has an annual target for creating or attracting new businesses in London, set at 900 for the current year. The LDA Corporate Plan 2003–06 envisages this annual target being increased to 950 in 2005–06. The Agency also monitors the number of VAT registrations in London's most deprived wards.
	The Government does not publish figures relating to the number of business start-ups or closures, and there are no plans to do so. VAT registrations and de-registrations are the best official guide to the pattern of business start-up and closure, and are published by the Small Business Service and Office for National Statistics on an annual basis.

Arms Fairs

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to support arms fairs in the future.

Jacqui Smith: My Department represents the interests of UK-based defence manufacturers in their legitimate manufacturing and export interests. My Department also has no plans to change its long-standing arrangement whereby Ministers and Officials will attend exhibitions and fairs where armaments may be displayed and promoted. UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), through the Defence Manufacturers Association, supports the presence of UK companies at overseas exhibitions, seminars and in outward missions.
	Details of grants provided by UKTI to DMA were given to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Llew Smith), on 20 October 2003, Official Report, column 439W.

British Energy

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will place in the Library the Government's responses to each of the submissions from interested parties to the European Commission regarding the British Energy restructuring application.

Stephen Timms: No. Correspondence between the United Kingdom and the European Commission concerning current state aid cases, and that relating to specific undertakings, is confidential in accordance with the terms of Exemption l(c) information received in confidence from international organisations of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Broadband

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to provide extra funds to allow access to broadband for rural areas of (a) England and (b) Cumbria.

Stephen Timms: The Government intends spending £1 billion on broadband connectivity for the public sector between 2003–2006. The Broadband Aggregation Project will set up nine Regional Aggregation Bodies (RABs), which will aggregate and procure public sector demand for broadband. Each RAB will work closely with stakeholders in their region to develop an appropriate regional strategy that will offer best value for money and the widest availability to surrounding communities.
	The North West Regional Development Agency Corporate Plan has allocated £106 million between 2003–06 to promote a comprehensive broadband infrastructure throughout the region and maximise its usage. A project to procure broadband services for Cumbrian residents and businesses is currently awaiting approval by the Capital Projects Review Group and HM Treasury.

Business Support Schemes

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many business support schemes are in existence; and if she will list the schemes that have been closed down by her Department since November 2002.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 3 November 2003
	The DTI funds 52 schemes that are currently open to new business. In addition two other schemes, the Broadband Fund and the Regional Innovation Fund have had funding provision re-allocated from DTI to the Regional Development Agencies. The Department is in the process of closing all schemes in order to replace them with 10 business support products by April 2004.
	Since 30 November 2002, 39 schemes have closed to new business. Eight of these schemes have closed down completely and 31 have closed to new business but have a tail of activities to which the department has made legal commitments.
	Schemes that have closed down completely
	Partnership in Plastics Programme
	Waste Management Resources
	Partners in Innovation Fast Track
	Financial Advisory Service
	Business Incubation Service
	Coal Operating Aid
	Manufacturing in IST
	Corn-met
	Schemes that have closed to new business but have successor schemes or a tail of activities to which the department has made legal commitments
	Acorn
	Work-Life Balance
	Genetic Knowledge Parks
	Automotive College
	Smart
	Teaching Company Scheme
	ITEC Skills
	Partners in Innovation
	Partnership for Process Competitiveness Chemicals
	Biotechnology Exploitation Programme
	Recycling Programme
	Biotechnology Mentoring
	Building Research Establishment Framework
	Manufacturing for Bio-technology
	Bio-wise
	Building up Bio-materials
	Local Partnership Fund
	s@tcom Programme
	MOSAIC
	Service Mission Support
	NEWTON (New Observing Technologies)
	GIFTSS (Government Information for space sector)
	CPP (Customer Partnership Programme)
	MEP (Market Entry Programme)
	ICP2 (International Co-operation Programme)
	GMES (Global Monitoring for Environmental Security)
	Electronics Design Programme
	Digital Broadcasting Test Bed
	ICT Carrier
	NESTA Industry Placement Scheme
	Internet Incubator Fund

Coal Production (Scotland)

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much (a) deep mined coal and (b) open cast coal was produced in Scotland in (i) 2000–01, (ii) 2001–02 and (iii) 2002–03.

Stephen Timms: The information available on the amount of deep mined and opencast coal produced in Scotland, relates to financial years and, in millions of tonnes, is as follows.
	
		
			  Deep Mine Opencast 
		
		
			 2000–01 0.7 7.1 
			 2001–02 0.8 8.1 
			 2002–03 0 7.1 
		
	
	Source:
	Coal Authority data as published in the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics, 2003 (The Stationery Office), which is accessible through the DTI website. Output is the tonnage declared by operators to the Coal Authority, including estimated tonnages.

Cold Calling

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what regulatory framework protects the public from cold callers; and what plans the Government has for further regulation of the practice of cold calling.

Stephen Timms: The regulatory framework for unsolicited direct marketing by phone currently gives individual subscribers the right to opt-out of sales calls if they do not wish to receive them. Under the Telecommunications (Data Protection and Privacy) Regulations 1999 (which will shortly be replaced by the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003), no-one may make a sales call to a subscriber who has previously notified them that they do not wish to receive such calls from them, or who has been registered with the Telephone Preference Service for twenty-eight days or more.
	Both the Distance Selling Regulations and the Consumer Protection (Cancellation of Contracts Concluded away from Business Premises) Regulations provide rights to consumers over distance and doorstep selling. The Distance Selling Regulations require that consumers are provided with clear, comprehensible information about the goods or services offered. Where a business uses cold calling by telephone to sell to consumers, the caller must clearly identify the business they represent and the commercial purpose of the call at the start of a conversation. The Regulations also provide for a seven-day cooling off period (except for certain goods and services which are excluded) in which to withdraw from any contract.
	The Consumer Protection (Cancellation of Contracts Concluded away from Business Premises) Regulations, commonly known as the "doorstep selling regulations" provide the right to a seven day cooling-off period during which an agreement to buy goods or services worth more than £35 from a trader whose visit is unsolicited may by cancelled, and the same right where a visit by a trader follows an unsolicited doorstep or telephone approach.
	The Office of Fair Trading is currently investigating the doorstep selling market under powers provided by the Enterprise Act 2002. The OFT expect to report on their investigation early in the New Year. All recommendations will be carefully considered.

Concorde

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what role she has in determining the final destinations for each of the Concorde aircraft; and if she will make a statement;.
	(2)  what estimate she has made of the final public cost of the project to (a) develop, (b) produce and (c) maintain, while in public ownership, the Concorde aircraft since 1973; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answers 5 November 2003
	Total UK Government expenditure in support of Concorde was £1,358 million gross, £1,062 million net of receipts in prices of the day. These data were compiled from information taken from the appropriation accounts over the period 1956–57 to 1986–87.
	Public ownership ceased in 1984 when British Airways became the owner and operator of the UK Concorde fleet. The Government is therefore not in a position to make a decision on the final destinations for each of the Concorde aircraft. That remains a decision for British Airways, the legal owner of the UK Concorde fleet.

Construction Industry

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what policies she is following to ensure an adequate supply of skilled construction engineers; and if she will make a statement on the effect of current employment legislation on training of the under-18s.

Nigel Griffiths: The Government provide approximately £35 million to the Construction Industry Training Board in respect of various contracts and schemes administered by them. £3 million support their role as a Sector Skills Council and sponsors events like National Construction Week to encourage young people to make construction a first choice career.
	The DTI also works closely with the Department for Education and Skills to take forward actions arising from the recent Skills White Paper, and Work Permits UK, which administers the work permits regime. The Government are fully committed to Modern Apprenticeships as a means of preparing young people for an economy based on high-level skills.
	The Department for Education and Skills on the matter of training for the under-18s, which is a matter primarily for them.

Consumer Credit

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what action she will take to amend consumer credit law to stop shopping vouchers being used as a first contact for those selling doorstep loans;
	(2)  what representations she has received about loan companies using shopping vouchers as a means of avoiding consumer credit legislation which forbids unsolicited selling of loans;
	(3)  what discussions she has had with (a) high street stores and (b) trading standards departments to stop loan companies using store discount vouchers to avoid the consumer credit legislation which forbids unsolicited selling of loans.

Gerry Sutcliffe: As you are no doubt aware, my Department is currently undertaking a major review of the Consumer Credit Act to bring it up to date so that it continues to provide appropriate consumer protection. A major aspect of this will be the publication in December 2003 of a Consumer Credit White Paper.
	The review has been characterised by consultation, and decisions on the content and focus of the White Paper have been made after comprehensive discussions with key stakeholders—industry, consumer groups and enforcement agencies—including the Office of Fair Trading, which has responsibility for monitoring social and commercial developments in the provision of credit.
	In addition, my Department has also received comments and opinions during the course of the review from many organisations and individuals—including on the issue of doorstep lending techniques—that have contributed to the development of the proposals that will be set out in the White Paper.

Consumer Credit

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking in (a) the review of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and (b) the preparation of the forthcoming Credit White Paper to require companies to make more accessible the language used in their (i) promotional and (ii) contractual material.

Gerry Sutcliffe: As the hon. Gentleman is aware, my Department is nearing the conclusion of its review of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. I have announced that a Consumer Credit White Paper, outlining our proposals will be published in December of this year.
	Among other things, the White Paper, will set out proposals for reform in two key areas where clear and accessible information for consumers is required, the advertising of consumer credit products and the form and content of credit agreements. Alongside the White Paper we will publish consultation draft legislation to reform the law in these areas.

Estate Agents

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the protection given to consumers and their right to financial compensation under (a) the Property Misdescriptions Act 1991, (b) the Estate Agents Act 1979 and (c) other legislation governing housing transactions.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 6 November 2003
	The Estate Agents Act 1979 regulates the conduct of estate agents in the buying and selling of property and seeks to ensure that consumers as either buyers or sellers are treated honestly and fairly. The Office of Fair Trading can, if satisfied that a person is unfit to carry on estate agency work, make an order prohibiting that person from carrying on estate agency work. Under the Property Misdescriptions Act 1991 it is a criminal offence to make a false or misleading statement about a number of specified matters concerning a property in either written or verbal communication with a prospective client.
	Neither of these Acts provides directly for the payment of compensation to consumers. However, those who suffer a financial loss as a result of malpractice by estate agents or misdescriptions of property may be able to make a claim for compensation in the civil courts. If the estate agent is a member of the Ombudsman for Estate Agents Scheme, consumers may also be able to make a claim for compensation to the ombudsman.
	The Department is not responsible for any other legislation specifically governing housing transactions.

Correspondence

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will respond to the letter of 2 September from the honourable Member for Totnes concerning Mr. Trevor Sams of Scope Communications UK Ltd, Totnes.

Patricia Hewitt: My office has no record of the hon. Member's letter. If he writes to me again I will ensure that the letter will be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Departmental Expenditure (Official Residencies)

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much the Department spent on (a) maintenance, (b) renovation, (c) council tax and (d) running costs of residential properties used by ministers and officials in each year since 1997.

Patricia Hewitt: My Department has not had any costs relating to Government-owned official residences used by DTI Ministers since 1998. Information about the costs for previous financial years is already in the public domain.

Direct Payment

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which financial institutions have committed to providing a universal banking service through post office branches; how much each institution has committed to pay towards the cost of the Post Office card account; how much remains to be paid; and what the deadline is for payment.

Stephen Timms: The financial institutions supporting universal banking are Barclays, Lloyds TSB Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland/Nat West, HSBC, Abbey National, HBOS, Alliance and Leicester, NAG, the Co-operative Bank, First Trust, the Bank of Ireland and the Nationwide Building Society. They are each making a basic bank account accessible at post offices, and together they are contributing £180 million to the costs of the Post Office card account. Individual contributions and the schedule of payments are matters of commercial confidentiality.

Energy Policy

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much (a) electricity and (b) other energy her Department has used in each year since 1997 (i) in total and (ii) per square metre; what the projected use is for each of the following years for which forecasts are made; what plans she has to reduce usage; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has answered part A and B on 3 November 2003, Official Report, column 404W. The Government's strategy with regard to long term carbon dioxide emissions is set out in the Energy White Paper published in February 2003. The Department of Trade and Industry will play its full part in delivering through its own operations the energy efficiency and carob reduction aims set out in the white paper. Forecasts of energy use for future years are not available, but we have committed to reducing CO2 emissions by at least 1 per cent. per annum. From 1 November all new DTI contracts will meet minimum energy efficiency standards, as well as value for money in line with the commitments laid out in the Energy White Paper.
	On top of this the Department purchases electricity from renewables sources equating to almost 30 per cent. of its HQ estate requirement compared to a target of 5 per cent. The Department is also continuing to work toward the Sustainable Development in Government green energy targets, which are to be published by the end of this year.

European Union

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes have taken place in the balance of trade in manufactures with the EU since the UK joined the organisation.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 6 November 2003
	The UK's trade with the EU has grown steadily since UK membership in 1973. The value of the deficit in trade of manufacturers with the EU in 1973 was 0.3 per cent. of GDP. This grew to 3.0 per cent of GDP in 1989. In 2002 the deficit was 2.1 per cent. of GDP.
	These changes since 1973 in the balance of trade with the EU are smaller than those seen with non-EU countries. Over the same period the trade of manufacturers with non-EU countries has gone from a surplus of 2.3 per cent. in 1973, to a deficit of 1.8 per cent. of GDP in 2002.
	The UK's membership and increasing economic integration with the EU has generated considerable opportunities for UK businesses and contributed positively to UK prosperity. This has helped drive the twenty fold increase in UK trade in goods with the EU since 1973, compared to the twelve fold rise in trade in goods with non-EU countries.

Gas Act Order

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why there is no requirement that changes to the Gas Act Order go on the public register before they come into force.

Stephen Timms: The requirements in the Gas Act for Ofgem to keep a Public Register are expressed in broad terms. I understand that it is Ofgem's intention to place a wide range of relevant information on the Public Register once such information is in final form.

Generators

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many generators burn biomass and wood residues in the United Kingdom; and what her forecast is for the number so doing in (a) 2006, (b) 2010 and (c) 2012.

Stephen Timms: In 2002, there were eight generating stations in the United Kingdom that burned biomass or wood residues. Figures are not yet available for 2003 but we are aware that up to 17 more biomass schemes could generate electricity in 2003. Forecasts of future electricity generation are not made at this level of detail.

International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research her Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on a United Kingdom bid to build the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 3 November 2003
	There has been no research commissioned or evaluated on such a United Kingdom bid and no such bid has ever been made. The previous Government decided not to bid for ITER on cost grounds and on the basis that the United Kingdom currently hosts the Joint European Torus (JET) fusion experiment and would be very unlikely to win a bid to host its successor.

Internet

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many guidance booklets produced by her Department are only accessible via the internet; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: I have understood a guidance booklet to be a publication produced by my Department to give information to the general public. To distinguish the guidance booklets from other DTI publications could be done only at disproportionate cost.
	Of 3,306 publications currently available, and notified to my Department's Publications Unit, 847 (25.6 per cent.) are accessible only via the internet. These include publications previously available in hard copy but now out of print.

Iraq

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the value of contracts awarded for the reconstruction of Iraq to date is; what outstanding contracts remain to be awarded; and to which countries contracts have been awarded, broken down by (a) value and (b) type of contract.

Patricia Hewitt: Contracts for the reconstruction in Iraq are awarded by a number of different agencies. We have information on many of the contracts awarded, (see appendix A) but there is no comprehensive breakdown giving the details requested. We continue to monitor the issuing and awarding of contracts to alert UK companies as appropriate.
	
		Appendix A: List of contracts won by UK firms in Iraq
		
			 Who What 
		
		
			 Olive Security Contract for providing Security Services to Bechtel, Great Lakes Dredging, Titan Salvage, SSA and GE. 
			 ArmorGroup (Global risk management company) Contracted by Bechtel to guard construction sites and deal with unexploded ordinance 
			 Crown Agents Washington based company Crown Agents Consultancy Inc. (CACI) International Resources Group (IRG), acting as United States Agency for International Development (USAID) prime contractor contracted CACI , to assist with the procurement, transport and warehouse management of a wide range of goods and materials in support of the setting up of the USAID mission in Kuwait and, as the situation develops, in Iraq. 
			 Aggreko International Contracted by Bechtel to supply and install generators for temporary power at Umm Qasr. Other possible contracts but no details available. 
			 Halcrow Bechtel have awarded them two contracts so far:1. to provide marine engineering services at Umm Qasr2. to provide miscellaneous civil engineering services such as damage assessment of bridges. 
			 Cummins UK Contracted by Bechtel to provide generators for Baghdad International airport and other facilities in Iraq. 
			 Weir Group Have picked up a small contract from Kellog Brown Root doing assessments for oil field rehabilitation. They hope that this will position them for when actual contacts for the work are let. 
			 Mowlem Believed to have won a £3 million contract to refurbish a hotel in Basra for use by troops (Source: Building magazine). 
			 Mott MacDonald Secured undisclosed contract in Iraq (Source: Building magazine). 
			 Baker Wilkins Secured undisclosed contract in Iraq (Source: Building magazine). 
			 European Land Solutions Contract for the provision of EOD services to Bechtel country-wide Contract for the provision of clearance diving and EOD services to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company at Umm Qasr Contract for munitions clearance for the United Nations in Northern Iraq 
			 Siemens (UK) Contract to provide a 22 MW power plant for the refinery in Basra 
			 Solace Enterprises Ltd. Appointed by RTI (USAID prime contractor) as the sole UK subcontractor providing practitioners to the USAID funded-project to support the development of local institutions in Iraq. 
			 Standard Chartered Part of consortium that was awarded the contract to run the new Trade Bank in Iraq. 
			 De La Rue Currency Contract for printing of new Iraqi Dinar 
			 Erinys Oilfield Security 
			 Datasat Working on several projects all around data and voice communications infrastructure and services 
			 Kroll Associates Security for USAID

Manufacturing Industry

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on manufacturing industry in (a) the North West and (b) Lancashire.

Jacqui Smith: Manufacturing in the North West—and especially in Lancashire—remains vitally important to the regional and national economy. It contributes around £19 billion to the region's GDP, accounts for some £14 billion worth of exports and employs around 500,000 people, and its importance is reflected in the Regional Economic Strategy and Manufacturing Strategy. North West manufacturers have identified a number of key issues, including the need for more skilled personnel, greater availability of financial support for business start-ups and better product and process development. The North West Development Agency (NWDA) is piloting closer working with the Small Business Service and the Local Learning and Skills Councils to better address these issues. I recently announced an expansion of the successful Manufacturing Advisory Service in the region. This is an £18 million project supported by an initial investment of £5 million from the NWDA, and aims to deliver assistance to an additional 2,500 businesses in the region, and to achieve productivity increases of £50 million. In addition to benefiting from these initiatives, businesses in Lancashire have access to the services provided by the Lancashire West Partnership Productivity Centre, which helps companies, particularly Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, to achieve significant productivity improvements.

Mobile Phones

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions her Department has held with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs about recycling mobile phones; and what steps are being taken to encourage such recycling.

Stephen Timms: The recycling of mobile phones is covered by the EC Directive on Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment. The Directive is currently being transposed into UK legislation and this work is being overseen by an inter Departmental team, which includes officials from Defra. Although the recycling of mobile phones has not been discussed specifically, we are aware of a number of initiatives around the UK that take back, refurbish and reuse mobile phones or that recycle them.
	The Department welcomes the reuse and recycling of mobile phones through these initiatives, as a useful contribution to sustainable consumption and production, but does not operate a promotional programme specifically aimed at encouraging mobile phone reuse or recycling. We believe that the WEEE Directive will offer the incentive for more schemes of this type to be established, especially since mobile phones contain potentially high value materials such as precious metals and chips.

National Minimum Wage

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) men and (b) women in (i) York unitary authority area and (ii) the City of York parliamentary constituency benefited from the national minimum wage in the last year for which figures are available.

Gerry Sutcliffe: It is not possible to provide estimates specifically for the York unitary authority area or for the City of York parliamentary constituency. However, based on the Office for National Statistics' Low Pay data for 2003, the DTI estimates that between 110,000 and 140,000 people in Yorkshire and the Humber are expected to benefit from the increase in minimum wage rates in October 2003.
	It is not possible to provide a gender breakdown for Yorkshire and the Humber. For the UK as a whole, around 70 per cent. of those who are expected to benefit from the October 2003 uprating are women.

National Minimum Wage

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the number of people in (a) Leeds and (b) Leeds, West who will gain from the latest minimum wage increase.

Gerry Sutcliffe: It is not possible to provide estimates specifically for Leeds or for Leeds, West. However, based on the Office for National Statistics' Low Pay data for 2003, the DTI estimates that between 110,000 and 140,000 people in Yorkshire and the Humber are expected to benefit from the increase in minimum wage rates in October 2003.

Postal Services

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to ensure that Post Office Limited follows the procedures agreed with Postwatch to integrate consideration of proposals to close branch offices with area network reinvention plans.

Stephen Timms: Proposals for post office closures under the urban network reinvention programme are put out to public consultation in accordance with the code of practice agreed with Postwatch. Final decisions on closure, after consideration of representations received, are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Property Rights

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 18 September, Official Report, column 880W, on property rights in developing countries, if she will make such an assessment.

Mike O'Brien: We have no plans to make such a formal assessment but we are willing to consider any proposals the hon. Member may wish to make on the feasibility of doing so.

Radioactive Waste

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make it her policy to (a) retain access to the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee website from DEFRA's site if RWMAC is wound up and (b) arrange for pre-2000 RWMAC reports to be posted on the RWMAC website as an accessible archive.

Elliot Morley: Whatever decision is taken concerning its future, the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee (RWMAC) component of the Defra website will continue to operate to provide access to the committee's post-2000 advice. The current arrangement is for the copies of the pre-2000 advice to be supplied upon written request if they are still available. Again, this arrangement will be maintained.

SBX Project

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many UK companies have been involved in the bidding process for the Boeing Company's Sea-Based Test X-Band Radar (SBX) project; what assistance her department (a) offered and (b) gave to each company; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The number and identification of any UK companies bidding for Boeing's Sea-Based Test X-Band Radar (SBX) project would of course be a commercial matter between Boeing and the specific companies involved. I am not aware of any approach for assistance in relation to this programme. The lead on UK defence export activities is the responsibility of MoD's Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO).

Textiles

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many textile and clothing companies there are in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland.

Jacqui Smith: The number of VAT based local units in the textile and clothing industry in March 2003 was:
	
		
			 Local Units Textiles(1) Clothing(2) 
		
		
			 United Kingdom 5,210 4,840 
			 of which:   
			 Scotland 480 215 
		
	
	(1)Standard Industrial Classification division 17
	(2)Standard Industrial Classification division 18 Source:
	Office for National Statistics Size Analysis of UK Businesses PA 1003. All figures rounded to the nearest 5. Local units give a better indication of regional distribution as enterprises would be classified by head office location.

Textiles

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are employed in the textile industry in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Scotland.

Jacqui Smith: In December 2001 there were 124,000 employee jobs in the textile industry in the United Kingdom, of which 12,000 were in Scotland.
	Source:Office for National Statistics Annual Business Inquiry and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Northern Ireland Quarterly Employment Survey. Textiles as defined by Standard Industrial Classification division 17.

Trade

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what she is doing to promote trade between Britain and (a) Saudi Arabia, (b) Oman, (c) the United Arab Emirates, (d) Qatar and (e) Bahrain.

Mike O'Brien: UK Trade and Investment sponsors a range of activities to alert UK companies to opportunities in the countries listed. These include a programme of inward and outward trade mission, exhibitions, the provision of market information and tailored assistance to UK companies through our network of posts in the region.

Trade Links

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to set up trading links that would benefit third world countries in Africa.

Mike O'Brien: Africa faces many challenges. Nearly half of the 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa live on less than $1 dollar a day. The United Nations estimates that over 14 million people in the region will be dependent on food aid by March 2003.
	Since September 2001 the UK government has committed over £80 million to humanitarian assistance and recovery programmes in Southern Africa. But aid also is not the answer.
	We also provide assistance to British companies wishing to trade with Africa through services available from UK Trade and Investment and our network of posts in the region. We also support events in Africa designed to enable UK companies to assess the prospects for trade and investment in African countries.
	This is why we are working hard, with our EU colleagues, to deliver a development round in line with the promises made at Doha. All countries will benefit, but the poorest stand to gain the most.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which UK companies produce (a) unmanned air vehicles and (b) components for unmanned air vehicles; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: There are a wide number companies engaged in the development, production and support of un-manned air vehicles (UAVs) and their components in the UK. This Department does not however maintain an exhaustive listing of such companies. Such data is readily available through commercial sources.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had in 2003 with UK companies interested in participating in future bidding processes for US requirement contracts for unmanned air vehicle projects; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: I have had no specific discussions with UK companies in relation to the bidding process for the US requirement contracts for unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). UK Trade and Investment did however support, through the outward missions scheme, in May of this year a Society of British Aerospace Companies (SB AC) industry mission to the US and this included UAV technology within its remit. The lead on UK defence export activities is the responsibility of MoD's Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO).

TREASURY

Cross-border Payments

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of compliance by banks in the United Kingdom with the Cross-Border Payments Regulation adopted by the United Kingdom on 1 July 2002.

Ruth Kelly: The Cross-Border Payments in Euro Regulations 2003 provide for civil proceedings and create criminal offences for breaches of the Regulation on cross-border payments in euro. The Association for Payment Clearing Services has produced compliance guidelines for the banking industry. My officials will contribute to the report on the impact of the Regulation which the European Commission is required to produce by 1 July 2004.

Advisers and Consultants

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much (a) HM Treasury, (b) Customs and Excise and (c) the Inland Revenue spent on (i) advisers and (ii) consultants in the last financial year; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: HM Treasury expenditure in 2002–03 on consultants was £2.8 million (excluding VAT). Inland Revenue had in place four framework agreements, through which it obtained a range of advisory and consultancy services including on IT, human resources, market research, social and economic research, and learning services. Departmental spend on these services for 2002–03 was in the region of £35 million (excluding VAT). Customs and Excise expenditure for consultants and advisors was £29.3 million (excluding VAT).

Banking Ombudsman

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases were considered by the Banking Ombudsman in the last year for which figures are available; how many cases were (a) upheld and (b) rejected; what was the average time taken to consider cases; and what the average cost was per case.

Ruth Kelly: The Financial Ombudsman Service tell me that in the financial year ending 31 March 2000, the Office of the Banking Ombudsman received a total of 4,375 cases.
	The table shows a breakdown of the outcome of all cases resolved during the period:
	
		Breakdown of cases—year ended 31 March 2000
		
			 Outcome of cases Percentage 
		
		
			 Resolved by mediation or conciliation 66 
			   
			 Resolved after investigation by an adjudicator 20 
			 Of which:  
			 In favour of the consumer 50 
			 In favour of the firm 50 
			   
			 Resolved by final decision of an ombudsman 14 
			 Of which:  
			 In favour of the consumer 50 
			 In favour of the firm 50 
		
	
	The average time taken to resolve cases in the year ending 31 March 2000 was 162 days.
	The unit cost per case (calculated by dividing the total expenditure—less financing costs by the number of cases closed) for the year ending 31 March 2000 was £730, the average unit cost per cases across all of the predecessor schemes.

Creative Industries/Tourism

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of (a) the United Kingdom's and (b) London's GDP was generated by (i) creative tourism and (ii) the tourism industry in 2002–03.

Richard Caborn: I have been asked to reply.
	(i) The term 'creative tourism' is not recognised.
	(ii) (a) Tourism was estimated to have accounted for 4.4 per cent. of UK GDP in 2002.
	(b) The Greater London Authority is currently leading a review of methodologies used to estimate London's tourism GDP in order to produce an agreed estimate.

Creative Industries/Tourism

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of gross domestic product was generated by the tourism industry in (a) the south east, (b) the south west, (c) the west Midlands, (d) the east Midlands, (e) the north west, (f) the north east and (g) Wales in 2002–03.

Richard Caborn: I have been asked to reply.
	(a)-(f) Reliable estimates of tourism GDP are not currently available for the English Regions. There is one exception, namely the north east. The report Tourism Impact—A pilot study for the North East estimated tourism to account for 3.5 per cent. of the north-east's GDP in 2000.
	Plans for a Tourism Satellite Account project for the English regions are currently being considered. This will develop methodologies to calculate tourism figures, including GDP. It is being conducted on behalf of, and being jointly funded by, all Regional Development Agencies in England, and it is anticipated that it will report in late 2004.
	(g) Currently there are no official data available on the contribution of the tourist industry to Welsh GDP. The National Assembly for Wales is involved in Tourism Satellite Account development work, including a UK development project which is being co-ordinated by the Department, and which will report in Summer 2004.

Economy (York)

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the annual per capita GDP for York unitary authority area was in each year since 1995.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 10 November 2003
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question on annual per capita GDP for York unitary authority. I am replying in his absence. (135948)
	The latest available data on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for York unitary authority were published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in April 2001 and relate to the period up to 1998 and the area of York on the "NUTS3" area classification.
	ONS published estimates of Gross Value Added (GVA) for the larger "NUTS2" area of North Yorkshire, of which York is a part, for the period 1995 to 2001, in October 2003. Both sets of estimates are shown in the table.
	
		GDP per head in York, and GVA per head in North Yorkshire  -- At current basic prices, £ per head of population
		
			  GDP per head in York GVA per head North Yorkshire 
			  (NUTS3 area) (NUTS2 area) 
		
		
			 1995 11,750 *10,077 
			 1996 12,565 *10,622 
			 1997 13,742 11,192 
			 1998 14,305 11,719 
			 1999 — 12,119 
			 2000 — 12,585 
			 2001 — 13,031 
		
	
	Notes
	1. All estimates are provisional except where indicated with an asterisk.
	2. Estimates of workplace based GVA allocate income to the region in which commuters work.
	3. GVA estimates are calculated using a five-period moving average.
	4. GDP = GVA + taxes on products—subsidies on products.
	Estimates of NUTS3 GVA, including for York, for the period 1995–01 are planned for publication by ONS in December 2003.

ECOFIN

Bob Russell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the ECOFIN held on 7 October; and if he will place in the Library the Government's position on the issues discussed, including its voting record.

Ruth Kelly: The Chief Secretary to the Treasury wrote to the Chairmen of the European Scrutiny Committees in both Houses on 20 October informing them of the outcome of the 7 October ECOFIN. Copies of the Chief Secretary's letter were deposited in the House of Commons Library.

ECOFIN

Bob Russell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the ECOFIN held on 12 and 13 September; and if he will place in the Library the Government's position on the issues discussed, including its voting record.

Ruth Kelly: The ECOFIN on 12–13 September was an informal meeting. No formal conclusions or notes were taken and there were no votes taken.

Employment (London)

Simon Hughes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) private sector jobs broken down by (i) agricultural, (ii) manufacturing and (iii) service sector and (b) public sector jobs there were in London in each year since 1997.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Simon Hughes, dated 10 November 2003
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question about jobs in London. (135163)
	Statistics of private sector jobs in the United Kingdom were published in the September 2003 issue of Labour Market Trends. However on a consistent basis figures for London are not available.
	The Workforce Jobs series can provide a regional breakdown of jobs by industry. Table 1 shows jobs in agriculture, manufacturing and service industries in London for the three months to December of each year between 1997 and 2002. These figures include both public and private sector jobs.
	The Labour Force Survey is an alternative source of information on public sector employment, although the public sector classification of employment is based on respondents' own perceptions and is not necessarily consistent with the official classification of the organisations they work for.
	Table 2 shows the numbers of people in employment in the public sector in London for the Autumn quarters (September to November) of each year from 1997 to 2002. The figures are not directly comparable with those in Table 1.
	
		Table 1: Jobs in London by industry sector -- Thousand(3)
		
			  Agriculture Manufacturing Services 
		
		
			 1997 4 297 3,203 
			 1998 4 284 3,362 
			 1999 3 296 3,538 
			 2000 5 288 3,635 
			 2001 4 263 3,615 
			 2002 4 256 3,613 
		
	
	(3) Not seasonally adjusted.
	Notes
	1. Industrial classifications are defined in the Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities UK SIC(92).
	2. Agriculture is defined as sections A and B of SIC(92), Manufacturing as section D, and Services as sections G to Q.
	Source
	Workforce Jobs
	
		Table 2: Public sector employment in London -- Thousand(4)
		
			 Date(5) Public sector employment 
		
		
			 September 1997 to August 1998 840 
			 September 1998 to August 1999 855 
			 September 1999 to August 2000 849 
			 September 2000 to August 2001 856 
			 September 2001 to August 2002 886 
			 September 2002 to August 2003 857 
		
	
	(4) Not seasonally adjusted.
	(5) Data is averaged over four consecutive quarters.
	Source
	Labour force survey.

Housing

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what economic instruments he has available to him to moderate the rise in house prices; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: Developments in the housing market are part of the overall assessment in setting economic policy. In particular, the 2003 Budget announced the establishment of the Barker and Miles reviews to consider issues on housing supply and finance respectively. Both reviews will submit interim reports at the time of the pre-Budget report.

Housing

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to increase the resources available for the expansion of the housing market renewal initiatives, with particular reference to initiatives in west Yorkshire.

Keith Hill: I have been asked to reply.
	I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 5 November 2003, Official Report, column 679W.

Insurance Ombudsman

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases were considered by the Insurance Ombudsman in the last year for which figures are available; how many cases were (a) upheld and (b) rejected; what the average time taken was to consider cases; and the average cost per case.

Ruth Kelly: The Financial Ombudsman Service tell me that for the year ending 31 December 1999, the last year for which figures are recorded against it as a separate scheme, the Insurance Bureau received a total of 7,061 cases.
	The table shows a breakdown of the outcome of all cases resolved during the period:
	
		Breakdown of cases—year ended 31 December 1999
		
			 Outcome of cases Percentage 
		
		
			 Resolved by mediation or conciliation 26 
			   
			 Resolved after investigation by an adjudicator 59 
			 Of which:  
			 In favour of the consumer 31 
			 In favour of the firm 69 
			   
			 Resolved by final decision of an ombudsman 15 
			 Of which:  
			 In favour of the consumer 47 
			 In favour of the firm 53 
		
	
	The average time taken to resolve cases in the year ending 31 December 1999 was 140 days.
	The unit cost per case (calculated by dividing the total expenditure—less financing costs—by the number of cases closed) for the year ending 31 March 2000 was £730, the average unit cost per case across all of the predecessor schemes.

Financial Services Authority

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to improve the procedure for (a) consumers and (b) businesses wishing to make a complaint against the Financial Services Authority.

Ruth Kelly: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is required to establish a scheme to handle complaints against it and to specify the procedures to be followed when complaints are made. The FSA is also required to appoint an independent person, whose appointment or dismissal requires Treasury approval, to investigate complaints.
	The FSA is reviewing the effectiveness of its complaints scheme including the scheme's procedures. The FSA is required to consult publicly on any proposed alterations to the scheme. I welcome the FSA's review.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act

Brian White: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what statutory investigatory powers the Department has; which ones will be superseded by use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; and what plans he has for removing these legacy powers.

Ruth Kelly: The Revenue Departments (Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise) have a wide range of investigatory powers to access communications data, as defined by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, (RIPA) Pt 1, Chapter 2, Section 21(4), within the following legislation: Taxes Management Act 1970, Drugs Trafficking Act 1994, Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, VAT Act 1994, Criminal Justice (International Co-operation ) Act 1990 and Proceeds Of Crime Act 2002. The Treasury does not itself have investigatory powers to access communications data.
	When Part One Chapter Two of RIPA, 2000 is implemented, the Revenue Departments expect in line with Home Office policy to use only powers contained in that Act to access communications data. The powers currently used are not exclusive to communications data and the Revenue Departments do not propose to seek their repeal.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Iraq

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to prevent tensions arising between Sunni and Shia Muslims in Iraq.

Bill Rammell: The Government and Coalition Provisional Authority officials have had regular meetings with representatives of many Iraqi political and religious groups, including the Sunni and Shia communities, to hear their views and to encourage dialogue between them. The Iraqi Governing Council contains representatives from both communities.

Iraq

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations took place between Her Majesty's Government and (a) the UN, (b) the United States and (c) the Coalition Provisional Authority prior to the signing of Order 39 by Mr.Paul Bremer in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: Order 39 of the Coalition Provisional Authority is the product of consultations between the Government and the Coalition Provisional Authority, relevant Departments of the US Administration, the United Nations Secretary General's Special Representative, the International Financial Institutions and the Iraqi Governing Council. Such consultations, called for under the terms of UNSCR 1483, are a necessary and normal part of the preparation of legislation by the coalition.

Iraq

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the (a) name, (b) rank and (c) role of the senior British personnel employed by the Coalition Provisional Authority; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The senior British personnel seconded to the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) are: Andy Bearpark, Director of Operations and Infrastructure (formerly United Nations Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General and Representative of the EU/EC, Kosovo); Sir Hilary Synnott, Regional Coordinator, CPA South (formerly High Commissioner, Pakistan); John Tesh, Senior Advisor to the Iraqi Defence Support Agency (formerly Director Balkans, MOD); Jim Daniell, Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Interior (formerly Director of Crime Reduction and Policing Policy, Home Office); Deputy Chief Constable Douglas Brand, Senior Police Advisor to the Ministry of Interior; Deputy Chief Constable Steve White, Senior Advisor, Law and Order, CPA South; Brigadier John Riley, Deputy Commanding General, Coalition Military Advisory Training Team (CMATT); and Brigadier Bruce Brealey, Senior Military Advisor, CPA South.

Iraq

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the remit of the UK's special envoy to Iraq.

Jack Straw: As the British Government's Special Representative in Iraq, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, is the senior British official there. In that independent capacity, he is working with, and in full support of, ambassador Bremer to facilitate a political process aimed at the swiftest possible establishment of a sovereign, stable, respresentative and internationally recognised Iraqi government; and to ensure the interim administration, assistance and reconstruction which are necessary for that goal.

Iraq

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 28 October 2003, Official Report, column 186W, on the Iraq Survey Group, what role the Government played in (a) setting up and (b) drawing up the mandate of the Iraq Survey Group; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: Government officials were consulted from the outset on the establishment of the Iraq Survey Group (ISG). We were able to respond positively to a request for the United Kingdom to provide the Group's second in command.

Iraq

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking, other than through the work of the Iraq Survey Group, to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq; whether the Government's assessment of Iraq's weapons programmes differs from that contained in the report of the Group; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The function of the Iraq Survey Group (ISG) is to conduct the post-conflict audit of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programmes. All the UK's effort on the audit of Iraq's WMD programmes is directed into support for the ISG, including by providing personnel in the field in Iraq. All UK elements in the coalition support the search for WMD as required.
	Since the work of the ISG is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for the Government to make a full assessment of the interim results presented so far.

Democratic Republic of Congo

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received on whether Rwandan troops remain in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Chris Mullin: Since the withdrawal of the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in October 2002 we have received several unconfirmed reports from a variety of sources about the continued presence of RDF personnel in eastern DRC. The UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) has investigated these reports but has found no compelling evidence to support them. The Rwandan government, with whom we have raised these allegations, have denied they have forces in the DRC.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson) of 28 October 2003, Official Report, column 184W, on the Democratic Republic of Congo, what reports his Department has received of Rwandan (a) military, (b) financial and (c) political support for armed groups operating within the DRC; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: Since the withdrawal of the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in October 2002 we have received several unconfirmed reports from a variety of sources alleging continued presence of RDF personnel in eastern DRC and military and financial support for some armed groups there. The UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) has found no compelling evidence to support such reports. The Rassemblement Congolais pour la Democratic, RCD-G, were politically allied to Rwanda during the conflict in DRC which preceded the formation of the Transitional National Government in Kinshasa.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what mechanisms are available to (a) the Government and (b) the EU to put pressure on Uganda and Rwanda to stop their involvement in the internal affairs of the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: From the outset of the conflict we urged all parties to bring an immediate end to hostilities and called for an immediate ceasefire. These calls were incorporated in Security Council Resolutions, EU statements and the EU Common Position on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Ugandan and Rwandan Defence Force personnel were withdrawn from DRC in May/June 2003 and October 2002 respectively.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support (a) the Government and (b) the EU is providing to the Transitional National Government in Kinshasa to enable them effectively to (i) disarm and (ii) demobilise the (A) Interahamwe militia and (B) ex-Forces Armées Rwandaises.

Chris Mullin: Disarmament, demobilisation, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration (DDRRR) of the ex-FAR/Interahamwe is crucial to the future peace and stability of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes region and is one of the key tasks of the UN Mission in DRC (MONUC). The UK is contributing $25million over five years to the World Bank's Multi-Country Demobilisation and Reintegration Programme, as well as supporting a wide range of other DDRRR-related and peace-building projects in the DRC, and the Demobilisation and Reintegration Programme in Rwanda.
	The UK also supports diplomatic efforts to improve relations between the Governments of DRC and Rwanda, which include looking at how they can work together on tackling the problem caused to both countries by the ex-FAR/Interahamwe. This will help move DDRRR forward.

European Constitution

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on extensions of co-decision in the draft Constitutional Treaty in articles concerning the European Union's budget.

Jack Straw: As we set out in our White Paper on the IGC, we will seek to ensure value for money for UK taxpayers by working to strengthen discipline and proper accountability in spending from the EU Budget. In this regard, we welcome the European Convention's proposals for a legally binding Multi-Annual Financial Framework and a streamlined annual budget procedure. We also welcome the consensus proposals by ECOFIN Ministers regarding the budgetary provisions of the draft constitutional treaty and we will support these proposals in the IGC.

Kenny Richey

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department intends to make to (a) the Governor of Ohio, (b) the President of the United States and (c) other US authorities in the event that the appeal on behalf of Mr.Kenny Richey to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals is unsuccessful.

Chris Mullin: The Government are opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances. The Ohio authorities are well aware of this. The Governor of the State of Ohio has the sole authority to grant clemency in death penalty cases in Ohio. The President has no role in the legal proceedings in Ohio. We are in touch with Mr. Richey's lawyers both in the USA and the UK. as well as with Ohio state officials. We continue to monitor his case closely to determine what representations we might make on his behalf, and we will do all we properly can to try to prevent his execution.

Richard and Enid Eyeington

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance his Department has (a) offered and (b) given to the Government of Somaliland in their investigation into the murder of Richard and Enid Eyeington; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: Our consular staff in London, Addis Ababa and Nairobi are providing all proper consular assistance to the Eyeington family after this outrageous attack. Staff are also in contact with SOS Kindersdorf International. Our thoughts and condolences are with the family.
	We welcome the commitment of the Somaliland authorities to track down the killers. We cannot undertake any direct investigatory work abroad. However, we are discussing with the Somaliland authorities the possibility of a visit by Scotland Yard detectives to assist with the investigation.

St Helena

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent the Government provide air surveillance of St.Helena's 200 mile exclusive fishing zone to determine the number of fishing vessels fishing (a) legally and (b) illegally in this zone.

Bill Rammell: The Government do not provide any air surveillance of St. Helena's fishing zone. Both the Government and St.Helena are looking at other methods of control of illegal fishing, including the possibility of using satellite surveillance to identify individual vessels within the 200 mile zone.

United Nations

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the remarks by Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock on identifying terrorism.

Denis MacShane: During his address to the UN General Assembly debate on 1 October 2001 our then Permanent Representative, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, remarked that "what looks, smells and kills like terrorism is terrorism". An internationally agreed definition of terrorism would be beneficial and we are working in the UN to achieve one. But so deep is the controversy surrounding certain groups, an internationally agreed definition does not seem possible in the short term. Sir Jeremy Greenstock's formulation was a means to unite UN members—at a vital time—around practical steps to counter the threat, rather than on debating the definition of terrorism.

NORTHERN IRELAND

British-Irish/North-South Ministerial Councils

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings of the (a) British-Irish Council and (b) North-South Ministerial Council have taken place since they were established; and what additional meetings of each have taken place in other sectoral formats.

Paul Murphy: The total number of meetings is as follows:
	
		
			 Institution Type of meeting Number of meetings 
		
		
			 British-Irish Council Summit 4 
			  Sectoral 6 
			 North/South Ministerial Council Plenary 4 
			  Institutional 1 
			  Sectoral 60 
		
	
	The following sectoral meetings have taken place:
	
		
			 Institution Sector Number of meetings 
		
		
			 BIC Drugs 2 
			  Environment 3 
			  Transport 1 
			 NSMC Agriculture 7 
			  Education 4 
			  Environment 6 
			  Food Safety and Health 5 
			  Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission 8 
			  Inland Waterways 5 
			  Language 4 
			  Special EU Programmes 7 
			  Tourism 5 
			  Trade and Business Development 7 
			  Transport 2

British-Irish/North-South Ministerial Councils

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff are employed in the secretariat of the (a) North-South Ministerial Council, (b) British-Irish Council and (c) Civic Forum; and what the costs are in respect of such staff.

Paul Murphy: The information is as follows:
	 (a) North-South Ministerial Council:
	There are 25.5 whole time equivalent staff employed in the Joint Secretariat of the North-South Ministerial Council drawn from the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Irish Civil Service. The North-South Ministerial Council cannot meet during suspension. The staff employed in the Joint Secretariat are currently engaged in providing administrative support associated with the care and maintenance of the North-South Implementation Bodies, and a range of other duties.
	The costs in respect of the staff drawn from the Northern Ireland Civil Service for 2002–03 were £412,929 (latest available figure). This figure includes salaries, travel and subsistence costs. (b) British-Irish Council:
	The British and Irish Governments provide the Secretariat for the British-Irish Council in co-ordination with officials from each of the other members. In addition to servicing the work of the Council, the officials are involved in carrying out a range of other duties. It is therefore not possible to identify detailed staff numbers and costings in respect of those functions which relate to the Secretariat.
	(c) Civic Forum
	Funding for the Civic Forum ceased during suspension. As a result staff in the Civic Forum Secretariat have been redeployed on other duties. At the latest date for which costs are available, the figure for the staff costs of Civic Forum Secretariat for 2002–03 were £158,526. This figure includes salaries and travel costs.

Euro

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent in each year by his Department in preparing for UK entry to the euro; how much his Department plans to spend on preparations for UK entry to the euro for each year from the current financial year up to and including 2005–06; and what estimates he has made of the total costs to his Department of changeover to the European Single Currency.

Paul Murphy: I refer the hon. Member to the response given by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, on 14 October 2003, Official Report, column 142W.

Museums and Galleries

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the review of Museums and Galleries Northern Ireland's business management strategy.

Angela Smith: A report on the way the Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland (MAGNI) conducts its business is currently with the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure for consideration. It would not be appropriate for me to make a statement about the outcome of the Review at this time.

Pensioners

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average time taken in the last 12 months was to process assessments on low income pensioners' entitlements to an alternative to coal fired heating; and what plans he has to introduce targets to speed up the assessment process.

John Spellar: The Warm Homes Plus Scheme provides the free installation of an oil or natural gas central heating system for low-income people over 60 years of age, living in owner occupied or privately rented accommodation, and who are entitled to certain passport benefits. In the last 12 months, the assessment process (from initial referral, to survey of the property) has taken, on average 31 days. This process is continually kept under review to ensure the optimum response time to the large number of applications for assistance from the Scheme.
	The Housing Executive's heating replacement programme for its housing stock does not involve an assessment of the tenants' entitlements; work is carried out on the basis of the age and condition of the appliance which is to be upgraded.

Performance Targets

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost was of (a) setting, (b) monitoring and (c) measuring the performance targets for his Department in 2002–03; and how many and what grades of civil servants monitor these targets.

Jane Kennedy: Performance targets for the department were agreed as part of Spending Review 2002. The monitoring and measurement of PS A targets forms part of departmental performance management. Performance management is an integral part of the day to day running of the department, and as such it is not possible to separate the specific costs out. The monitoring of progress towards, and performance against, the department's PS A targets is undertaken by a wide variety of staff at all levels of the organisation.

Scottish Television

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to introduce more Scottish television in Northern Ireland on the same basis as his commitment to help introduce greater availability in Northern Ireland of Irish language programmes.

Estelle Morris: I have been asked to reply.
	The BBC Scotland television service and ITV Scottish, Grampian and Border services are already available to those consumers in Northern Ireland with digital satellite receiving equipment. The extension of Scottish region television services to other areas in the UK is not possible on terrestrial television because of technical and licensing constraints.

DEFENCE

Allenby Private Finance Initiative Project

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what requirements he proposes setting for the energy efficiency standards of homes to be constructed within the Allenby Private Finance Initiative project; and what penalties will be incurred by contractors should there be non-compliance with these standards.

Ivor Caplin: Project Allenby/Connaught will deliver major redevelopment of the Army estate on Salisbury Plain and at Aldershot, and includes the provision of around 11,000 single en-suite bed spaces for personnel living in barracks. These bed spaces will be provided through new and converted accommodation. The contract requires assessment of this accommodation in accordance with the Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM). This system scores a building against a wide range of sustainability criteria, including those relating to energy efficiency and results in a BREEAM grading for the building. The contract will require the highest grading, 'Excellent', for new accommodation and the next highest grading, 'Very Good', for the converted buildings. If these grades are not achieved the contractor's monthly payments for the accommodation will be abated throughout the life of the contract.

Armed Forces

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many women officers there are in the (a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) Royal Air Force, broken down by rank;
	(2)  how many women other ranks there are in the (a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) Royal Air Force, broken down by rank.

Ivor Caplin: I refer my hon. Friend to the Tri-Service Publication 9 'UK Regular Forces Rank Structure', a copy of which is held in the Library of the House.

Armed Forces

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last published the armed forces monthly manning state; and when it will next be published.

Ivor Caplin: I refer the hon. Member to Tri-Service Publication (TSP) 1: "UK Regular Forces Strengths and Changes", and Tri-Service Publication (TSP) 3: "UK Armed Forces Strengths and Requirements".
	These are both available in the House of Commons Library and are updated on a monthly basis.
	TSP 1 and 3 for 1 September 2003 were published on 10 October 2003. The 1 October 2003 issues are due for publication between 6 and 20 November 2003.

Breathalyser Tests

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what breathalyser equipment is issued to military police in Scotland; when the adequacy of this equipment was last reviewed; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: Breathalyser equipment is not issued to the Service police in Scotland.

Chinook

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to relocate the Chinook helicopter fleet away from RAF Odiham.

Adam Ingram: There are currently no plans to relocate the Chinook helicopter fleet away from RAF Odiham.

Colombia

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) of 16 October 2003, Official Report, column 322W, what the mechanisms are for checking that UK military units are not implicated in human rights violations, internal repression or collusion with paramilitary organisations.

Adam Ingram: The Government use the best information available at the time to assure themselves that Colombian military units benefiting from United Kingdom assistance are not engaged in activities that violate human rights, in internal repression or in collusion with paramilitary organisations.

Commonwealth Recruits

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people were recruited from Commonwealth countries into each of the three services in each year since 1999; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: For the last five years, the intake of personnel from Commonwealth countries (excluding United Kingdom and UK dependent territories) into the Army was as follows:
	
		
			 Financial year Number 
		
		
			 1998–99 140 
			 1999–2000 445 
			 2000–01 715 
			 2001–02 1,115 
			 2002–03 1,960 
		
	
	Figures for the Naval Service and Royal Air Force are not available, as this information is not held centrally.

Conventional Weapons

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what his Department's aims are at the Convention on Conventional Weapons negotiations in November; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  whether his Department's representatives at the Convention on Conventional Weapons negotiations in November will seek agreement on a mandate for future negotiations on cluster munitions.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 4 November 2003, Official Report, columns 541–42W, by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Dean Hill SSSI

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions Defence Estates has had with (a) the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and (b) the Hampshire Wildlife Trust about the future of the Dean Hill site of special scientific interest.

Ivor Caplin: English Nature have nominated the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust as a potential purchaser of land of high conservation value, including that part of Defence Munitions Dean Hill, which falls within the Brickworth Down and Dean Hill SSSI. Ministry of Defence officials have therefore had preliminary discussions with it and not with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

Defence Budget (Wales)

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the defence budget was spent in Wales in the most recent year for which figures are available (a) in actual terms and (b) as a percentage of the total defence budget; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: This information is not held centrally in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Defence Export Contracts

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many defence export contracts have been approved to each of the member states of the Economic Community of Central African States in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Government approval is not required for defence export contracts.
	The Government do, however, control the transfer overseas of defence related goods through the export licensing system. Licence applications by country are reported in the Government's Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls. Reports covering the period from May 1997 to December 2002 are available in the Library of the House.

Defence Fire Service

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on the future of the Defence Fire Service; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I have received a number of representations about the future of the Defence Fire Service from Members of Parliament, trade unions and members of the Defence Fire Service. These have been in the form of an Adjournment debate, an early-day motion, parliamentary questions, letters and face to face meetings. The future of the Defence Fire Service will be determined by the outcome of the Airfield Support Services Project and the recommendations of Fire Study 2000.

Departmental Budget

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's budget was in the (a) 1998–99 financial year and (b) 2003–04 financial year at 1998–99 prices, excluding expenditure from the contingency reserve.

Adam Ingram: The figure for 1998–99 is £22,240 million. That is a cash figure as the Department was controlled on a cash basis until the end of financial year 2000–01.
	From 2001–02 onwards, Resource Accounting and Budgeting became the basis for planning and controlling public expenditure. From that year the Defence budget has been set on a Resource basis, which includes accrued costs rather than cash. The Budget figures for 2003–04 are therefore set on a completely different basis to those for 1998–99, and the two sets of figures are not directly comparable. The 2003–04 Budget consists of two separate elements, a Net Resource Cost budget of £31,903 billion and a Capital budget of £6,128 billion.
	These figures are at current prices as there is little merit in providing them at the 1998–99 price base.
	Figures for both years are exclusive of Armed Forces Pension Scheme amounts.

Departmental Energy Use

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much (a) electricity and (b) other energy his Department has used in each year since 1997 (i) in total and (ii) per square metre; what the projected use is for each of the following years for which forecasts are made; what plans he has to reduce usage; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 3 November 2003, Official Report, columns 403–08W, by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State.
	The current cross-government target is an on-going one per cent. per annum reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, expressed in terms of carbon saving. Since the target was introduced in 2000, the MOD has exceeded the target year on year and I expect this trend to continue. New targets for energy use on the Government Estate are being developed under the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate. Once the new targets have been agreed, the MOD will publish an energy strategy outlining how they will be met.

Medical Discharges

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many female members of the (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force received early discharges on medical grounds in each of the last five years; how many complained of sexual harassment or assault; what (i) pension and (ii) benefit they received on discharge; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: Medical discharges for female members of the armed forces (both trained and untrained United Kingdom regular personnel) in each of the last five years are as follows:
	
		Female medical discharges in the armed forces, 1998–2002
		
			  Navy Army RAF Total 
		
		
			 1998 39 222 20 281 
			 1999 52 259 35 346 
			 2000 61 183 36 280 
			 2001 52 160 29 241 
			 2002(6) 56 130 28 214 
		
	
	(6) Figures for 2002 have not yet been finalised and may be subject to alteration.
	Information on whether any of the individuals complained of sexual harassment or assault is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Members of the armed forces who are medically discharged after at least two years' Service for reasons not attributable to their Service are awarded a Service Invaliding Pension (SIP) and a lump sum payment. Where the Veterans Agency accept the reasons for discharge as attributable to Service and pay a War Disablement Pension (WDP) under the War Pensions Scheme, the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) separately considers whether the injury or condition is due to Service. If this is accepted by the AFPS, the SIP is replaced by an enhanced Service Attributable Pension and an attributable lump sum is paid. These benefits are paid in addition to the Veterans Agency's WDP.

Expenditure

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the adjustments to in-year expenditure to remain within his Department's expenditure limits for the current year, showing in each case (a) what action is being taken and (b) what savings will be made.

Adam Ingram: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence made clear in the debate on Defence Policy on 16 October 2003, Departments have to deal with fluctuating financial pressures while living within their budgets. This year the Ministry of Defence is facing, among other factors, better than expected recruiting and adverse exchange rate movements. The introduction this year of full Resource Accounting and Budgeting has also raised new issues. We are therefore making a range of mostly relatively small adjustments to previous expenditure plans across the Ministry of Defence's budgetary areas. These include reduction in training activities where this is not essential to sustain operations, and re-profiling some spending on new equipments and equipment support. These adjustments do not affect our commitment to operations in Iraq and elsewhere, the net additional costs of which are funded separately.

Halliburton (Contracts)

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the contracts (a) awarded to and (b) carried out by Halliburton since 1997, stating in each case (i) the nature of the work, (ii) the value of the contract and (iii) the duration; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 6 November 2003
	The Ministry of Defence's business dealings have been with the Halliburton Brown and Root part of this company. Excluding a low value contract for the short-term lease of equipment, MOD has placed the following direct contract since 1997:
	Contract No. CSVHC/04
	Nature of Work: Provision of Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) Services.
	Duration: 2001 to 2021
	Value: £290 million
	In addition, the Halliburton company also performs a substantial amount of work for the MOD under joint venture arrangements, most notable are the operation of the Devonport Royal Dockyard and the multi activity contract at RAF Valley, Anglesey in North Wales.

Humanitarian Emergencies

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what programmes his Department is (a) running and (b) supporting aimed at (i) introducing the humanitarian community to the military and security technology available and (ii) familiarising the technology community with the scope and problems of those dealing with complex humanitarian emergencies and international refugee crises; how long these programmes have been running; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence research and technology programme is geared towards providing the UK armed forces with battle-winning technology. A number of technologies developed under the auspices of this programme may have humanitarian applications, though the development of the technology for humanitarian purposes would fall to the Department for International Development (DfID).
	Where possible the MOD aims to make the results of its research available to industry, through technology transfer and technology spin-out, where commercial development of the technology is best carried out.

International Military Services

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how long the arbitration case involving International Military Services has been going on; and when he expects it to reach a conclusion.

Geoff Hoon: Proceedings in the arbitration case involving International Military Services Ltd. commenced in late 1992 and, depending on the appeals process, may not be concluded for about four years.

Iraq

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what amendments he will make to the Strategic Defence Review following operations in Iraq.

Geoff Hoon: The White Paper that I intend to publish later this year will build on the Strategic Defence Review (and the New Chapter to it published in 2002) and provide an updated statement of defence policy in light of operational experience since 1998.

Iraq

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how regularly he holds discussions with the US Defense Secretary on the activities of coalition forces in Iraq.

Geoff Hoon: I am in frequent contact with the US Defense Secretary on Iraq and other matters.

Military Exercises

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the military exercises which have been cancelled in this financial year, setting out the (a) date, (b) purpose and (c) reason for cancellation in each case.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence's Defence Exercise Programme lists some 350 planned exercises each year. These exercises range from smaller scale unit exercises, through to larger events involving joint inter-Service and/or international involvement. Inevitably, a larger number of those planned exercises have been cancelled so far this year than is usual: 72 per cent. owing to increased level operational activity, predominantly Operations Telic and Fresco, and 11 per cent. owing to decisions by host nations (other than the UK). A further 11 per cent. have been cancelled after being subsumed into other exercises or re-scheduled for the next financial year.
	Information on tactical training exercises organised by the Front Line Commands, the Permanent Joint HQ, the Defence Logistic Organisation HQ and by individual units is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Military Exports

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the highest value deals of military exports from the UK were that were concluded and delivered in 2003; what the (a) manufacturer, (b) name of the export company, (c) official buyer and (d) equipment involved was in each case; whether any of the deals included offset arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The highest value contract for military exports from the United Kingdom signed so far this year is in respect of the sale of Typhoon to Austria. The aircraft is manufactured by the Eurofighter GmbH consortium, with the UK element contributed by BAE Systems. No delivery has yet taken place under the contract. Offset will be included.
	The highest value delivery made this year of which the Ministry of Defence is aware, against a contract signed in the same year, is the Government-to-Government sale to Chile of the former HMS Sheffield. Regeneration work was undertaken by DML Plymouth on the ship built by Swan-Hunter Shipbuilders Ltd. No offset is associated with the contract.

Ministerial Visits

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list ministerial visits to Chorley in each of the last five years.

Ivor Caplin: From available information, Ministers have made no visits on official business to Chorley.

Munitions

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence from which countries munitions have been procured in the last five years, broken down by amounts paid.

Adam Ingram: During Financial Year's 1998–99 to 2002–03 inclusive, munitions have been procured from the following countries at the values shown. It should be noted that complete data for Financial Year 1998–99 is not available. Consequently, these figures do not show the complete spend on munitions during the period.
	
		
			 Country £ million 
		
		
			 Austria 2.834 
			 Belgium 0.979 
			 Canada 6.463 
			 Germany 3.382 
			 Israel 6.802 
			 Italy 4.594 
			 Netherlands 4.228 
			 Singapore 0.431 
			 Spain 0.353 
			 South Africa 1.408 
			 Sweden 300.949 
			 Switzerland 2.069 
			 Norway 3.287 
			 United Kingdom 2,476.321 
			 United States 530.401

Northern Ireland

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the future size of the British Army garrison in Northern Ireland; and what plans he has to reduce the number of army personnel in Northern Ireland.

Adam Ingram: As envisioned in the Joint Declaration, military force levels in Northern Ireland are dependent on the evolving, enabling security environment.

Pension/Compensation Schemes

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the level of in-Service death benefits is in the new Armed Forces (a) Pension Scheme and (b) Compensation Scheme.

Ivor Caplin: For those members that choose to join the new Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) and for new entrants after the date of its initial implementation, in-Service death benefits will be:
	a death-in-service lump sum of four times pensionable pay to member's nominee;
	a widow(er)'s (including partners in a substantial relationship) non-attributable pension normally worth 62.5 per cent. of the member's pension and paid for life, irrespective of marriage or cohabitation; and
	all dependent children will be eligible for a non-attributable pension below the age of 17 or until they complete full-time education.
	For all in-Service deaths that are due to Service and caused after the date of the introduction of the new Compensation Scheme, benefits will be:
	a Guaranteed Income Stream (GIS) for widow(er)s (including partners in a substantial relationship) payable for life and equating to 60 per cent. of the GIS calculation for the deceased, abated by 75 per cent. of any non-attributable pension (to avoid double compensation);
	a GIS will also be payable to dependent children (abated by non-attributable pension); and
	a bereavement grant (currently set at £20,000) will be paid to those whose partner remained in the current AFPS, as they would not benefit from the improved death in-Service benefit under the new AFPS. However, there will be a bereavement grant guarantee set so that if three times pensionable pay and £20,000 is greater than the new AFPS death in-Service lump sum, the Compensation Scheme will pay the balance.
	A non-attributable pension is the pension paid where a death is not caused or significantly hastened by Service.

Suez Canal Zone Medals

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Suez Canal Zone medals will have been issued in time for this year's Remembrance Day services; how many applications have been made for the medal; when he expects that all will have been issued; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 November 2003, Official Report, column 417W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Crawley (Ms Moffatt).
	It is not possible to estimate when all the medals will have been issued because this will depend entirely on when veterans and their families decide to apply.

Territorial Army

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Territorial Army troops have refused to serve after being called up since 1 January; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: No members of the Territorial Army have refused to serve after being called up since 1 January.
	Members of the TA can appeal against their call-out order and the Reserve Forces Act 1996 provides the right to both Reservists and employers to seek revocation, exemption from or deferral of mobilisation. Where appeals have not been approved, no member of the TA has refused to serve.

Territorial Army

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations from employers he has received expressing concern about how often members of the Territorial Army and the Reserves are called up for military service; and what reports he has received of employers refusing to employ such people.

Ivor Caplin: To date, the Ministry of Defence has only received one representation from an employer expressing concern about how often members of the Reserve Forces are called-out for military service.
	Our experience of Operation Telic has shown that employers are very supportive of the Reserve Forces. Only a very small number of employers have stated that they would not wish to employ reservists. Indeed, as a result of the call-out of reservists to support Operation Telic, the Supporting Britain's Reservists and Employers campaign team continues to be contacted by employers who wish to register as a supportive employer.

Territorial Army

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  where each unit of each (a) regular and (b) Territorial Army Royal Engineer Regiment is (i) based and (ii) deployed; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will list the units deployed in Iraq of each (a) regular and (b) Territorial Army Royal Engineer Regiment; where in Iraq they are deployed; what their mission goals are; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Unmanned Air Vehicles

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the future role of unmanned air vehicles in the UK armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: We currently expect unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to contribute significantly to future military capability in a number of areas. The WATCHKEEPER programme is on track to deliver a tactical UAV capability from 2006 which will provide UK commanders with accurate, timely and high quality imagery and support Network Enabled Capability. To explore the wider operational utility of UAV systems in the joint battlespace, we have established the Joint UAV Experimentation Programme (JUEP). Under the Future Offensive Air System programme, which is currently in its Concept Phase, we expect to look at a potential mix of platforms, including Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs), to meet our future strike capability from around the end of the next decade.

War Widows

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost has been for each year since 1997 of widows' pensions to war widows who became widows in (a) the Second World War, (b) from 1946 to 1973 and (c) since 1973.

Ivor Caplin: The information is not available in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	A range of statistics on War Pensions, including an analysis by age of the numbers of widows receiving war widows' pensions, is published quarterly. A copy is available in the Library of the House.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of the security of people in Afghanistan; in what ways it is proposed that the rebels' opposition will be prevented; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The security situation in Afghanistan continues to be a concern for both Afghans and the international community. There has been an increase in activity from Taliban insurgents in large areas of the south and east of the country, activity which the international coalition forces continue to counter.
	On 13 October 2003, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1510, authorising expansion, as resources permit, of the ISAF beyond Kabul. Additionally, there is an active programme of Security Sector Reform, including a new Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) Programme, which commenced with a pilot project in Kunduz on 24 October. Coupled with the four existing Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs), and the additional four or five due to deploy in the coming months, these measures form a coherent package by which the international community is helping the Afghan people secure a stable and peaceful country for themselves.

Africa Forest Law Enforcement andGovernance Process Conference, Cameroon

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the African Forest Law Enforcement and Government Ministerial Conference recently held in Cameroon.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: I represented the UK at the Africa Forest Law Enforcement and Governance Conference which took place in Yaounde, Cameroon, from 13 to 16 October. Officials from DFID, Defra and the FCO also attended. The UK private sector and British NGOs sent strong delegations.
	The purpose of the Conference was to build commitment to improve governance and strengthen law enforcement capacity. There was a particular focus on illegal logging, associated trade and bushmeat.
	Ministers from 40 countries adopted a Declaration that commits governments from Africa and those of trading and development partners to work together to address these problems. The Declaration contains a series of indicative actions to be taken forward by these governments together with the private sector and NGOs.Independent monitoring of forestry operations and greater transparency in the allocation of forest resources were identified as critical elements for improving governance and countering corruption. Participants concerned with wildlife and the trade in bushmeat were pleased with the attention given to this subject and acknowledged that it cannot be disassociated from wider concerns about the livelihoods of poor people.
	There was considerable interest in the EU Action Plan on forest law enforcement, governance and trade that the European Council endorsed on 13 October. Several African countries are keen to discuss the development of voluntary partnership agreements with the EU. Officials from my Department, Defra and FCO will now take this up with colleagues from the EC, other Member States and the African countries concerned.

Child/Maternal Mortality

Harold Best: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made in meeting the Millennium Development Goal targets for reducing (a) child and (b) maternal mortality.

Hilary Benn: Assuming progress continues at the same rate as over the 1990s, the Millennium Development Goals 2015 targets of reductions in child and maternal mortality will not be met.
	Child mortality is declining but on current trends will have fallen by only one quarter by 2015, far short of the two thirds reduction aimed for. There is considerable regional variation. Latin America is expected to meet the target but there has been much slower progress in south Asia and the Arab states, and virtually no progress in sub-Saharan Africa.
	Maternal mortality is difficult to measure but the available data suggest that little progress has been made in reducing mortality in recent years, and show an increase in maternal mortality in parts of Africa. In developing countries the coverage of the proxy indicator, the proportion of women who give birth with the assistance of a skilled health worker, increased from 42 per cent. in 1990 to 52 per cent. by 2000. Coverage in east and south east Asia, and northern Africa rose significantly. Coverage is highest in Latin America, at 85 per cent. In contrast, there was little progress in sub-Saharan Africa.
	DFID has put the achievement of the MDGs at the heart of its work, and is working with its partners to do all it can to meet these targets. The MDG targets for child and maternal mortality in Africa and Asia form part of DFIDs Public Service Agreement. Supporting progress in sub-Saharan Africa is a particular priority for DFID.
	A more comprehensive assessment of progress towards the goals is provided in the UN Secretary General's 2003 report on the implementation of the Millennium Declaration: http://ods-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N03/481/57/PDF/N0348157. pdf?OpenElement.

Conventional Weapons

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's aims are at the Convention on Conventional Weapons negotiations in November; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: I refer the hon. Member the answer given by my right hon. friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 4 November 2003, Official Report, column 542W.

Conventional Weapons

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department's representative at the Convention on Conventional Weapons negotiations in November will seek agreement on a mandate for future negotiations on cluster munitions.

Hilary Benn: I refer the hon. Member the answer given by my right hon. friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 4 November 2003, Official Report, column 542W.

Deforestation

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to assist the Brazilian Government in preventing deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.

Hilary Benn: DFID is an active member of the G7 Pilot Programme for the Conservation of the Brazilian Rain Forests (a joint undertaking of the Brazilian Government, Brazil's civil society and the international community). DFID's currently is helping to:
	strengthen the capacity of the indigenous movement to protect themselves from illegal logging through land demarcation and support to pursue sustainable livelihoods;
	enhance the sustainable management of the Amazon Floodplains by local communicates and government;
	enhance the Ministry of Environment's research on how to improve the economic and regulatory environment for sustainable forestry management;
	design the transition of this Pilot Phase to a Programme that is more mainstreamed and rooted in Brazilian policies for the region.
	The total contribution of DFID to the Pilot Programme for the Conservation of the Amazon Rain Forest is £16 million out of a total budget of US$410 million for the Pilot Programme.
	DFID also supports other activities outside the G7 Programme including:
	strengthening the ability of the Brazilian Agriculture Research Institute (EMBRAPA) to examine ways of improving sustainable forest management relevant to forest users and to improve the understanding by small farmers and disadvantaged groups of the benefits of sustainable forestry management; and
	giving a greater emphasis to forestry management for small scale farmers in agricultural extension courses provided by the Federal Agricultural University of Para.
	Many of these programmes are scheduled to end in 2004–05. The future of those planned to continue into 2005–06 will have to be reviewed in the light of the reallocation of DFID resources within middle income countries for that year.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions have been held with the Governments of (a) Rwanda and (b) Uganda concerning their involvement in the future of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Hilary Benn: We have maintained a close dialogue with the Governments of Rwanda and Uganda, and indeed with the former government and now the Transitional National Government (TNG) in Kinshasa, on the need for good neighbourly relations as the basis for national and regional stability. We continue to do so.
	Both Rwanda and Uganda have taken positive steps recently to normalise their relations with the TNG in DRC, including mutual ministerial visits and the signing in New York on 25 September 2003 of a Good Neighbourly Pact, which included commitments that all support for armed groups should end and that there should be no illegal exploitation of natural resources of the DRC.

Ghana

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made with the privatisation of water supplies in Ghana.

Hilary Benn: I refer the hon. Lady to my answer of 3 June 2003 Official Report column. 270W. The Government of Ghana has made no further announcement in respect of private sector participation in urban water supply.

Guinea Bissau

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the recent flooding in the eastern regions of Guinea Bissau.

Hilary Benn: I understand that wide-spread flooding caused by very heavy rainfall (the wettest rainy season in the Sahel for 30 years) has destroyed vast areas of cropland in the east of Guinea-Bissau. Up to 80 per cent. of Guinea-Bissau's peasant farmers may have been affected. Large areas of rice planted along the banks of the Geba river have been destroyed. Elsewhere in Bafata and Gabu provinces fields of maize and beans were rotting underwater. The Guinea-Bissau Agricultural Minister is quoted as saying that an extra 60,000 tonnes of rice will need to be imported to make up for the expected shortfall in local food production.
	A team from the UN World Food Programme (WFP) is evaluating the situation and preparing a response.

Iraq

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans the Government have to aid the rebuilding of the Iraqi education system.

Hilary Benn: DFID is funding two education advisers who will assist the Coalition Provisional Authority southern regional office and three governorates assess educational needs in the south of the country, and to plan an appropriate response. DFID has also supported the recovery of the education system through assistance to UNICEF and the NGO Muslim Hands.
	DFID is currently preparing an interim Country Assistance Plan. As part of this process we will explore how best to help the Iraqis meet their human development needs, taking into account the recent sector assessments prepared by the UN/World bank and the results of the donor conference in Madrid.

Kosovo

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many (a) casualties and (b) injuries in Kosovo were directly attributable to (i) mines, (ii) de-mining activities and (iii) cluster bomb submunition in each year since 1999; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government do not keep detailed records of this type of information. The figures in the following table have been provided by the UN Mine Action Co-ordination Centre (UNMACC) in Kosovo.
	The UK was the first country to have de-miners on the ground in Kosovo. Their de-mining activities have included clearance of unexploded munitions such as cluster bomb submunitions. The Government have spent over £10 million on de-mining activities in the Balkans, over £5 million of which was spent in 1999–2000 on de-mining in Kosovo.
	
		
			  Mines Unexploded ordnance Cluster bomb submunitions Totals 
			  Killed Injured Killed Injured Killed Injured Killed Injured 
		
		
			 June 1999-December 2000 35 227 6 10 51 106  (7)476 
			 2001 2 3 4 10 3 0 9 13 
			 2002 0 1 5 7 3 0 8 8 
			 2003 (1 January -30 September 0 3 1 9 2 0 3 12 
		
	
	(7) Collection of statistics began in 2000 and was backdated to June 1999. It is known that 101 persons were killed and 375 were injured between June 1999 and December 2000. However, of these 476 deaths or injuries, only 435, shown in the appropriate columns, can be attributed with certainty to a particular type of weapon, the remaining 13 deaths and 28 injuries having been caused by an unknown type.
	One deminer was killed by a cluster bomb submunition and 36 injured by mines between 1999 and 2001.

Lesotho

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the impact of the current drought on the humanitarian situation in Lesotho; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The 2003 winter cropping season has been seriously affected by drought. It is clear that vulnerable groups will continue to require humanitarian assistance. DFID will continue to work closely with the World Food Programme and other donors, and has already committed £3 million in assistance for feeding programmes and for agricultural recovery in Lesotho.

St. Helena

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State, Department for International Development, when he intends to re-negotiate the present three-year aid package for St. Helena; and when the last three-year package expired.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: Officials will visit St. Helena for this purpose early next year. The previous three-year aid package, which provided St. Helena with some £29 million, expired last March. This is being supplemented in the current (2003–04) Financial Year with further provision of over £10.5 million.

St. Helena

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State, Department for International Development, if he will make a statement on the progress with building the airport in St. Helena.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: Evaluation is continuing of the four expressions of interest, in response to the international invitation issued in April of this year, concerning possible private sector participation and potential investment in developing air access for St. Helena. I refer the hon. Gentleman to my written statement to this House on 16 September 2003, Official Report, column 43WS.

St. Helena

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans he has to make an official visit to St. Helena in 2004; and when a Minister from his Department last made a visit.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: I have no plans at present to visit St. Helena, and St. Helena has never had a visit by a DFID Minister. But DFID staff visit regularly; and official visitors from the island are always welcome at DFID. For example, in addition to several calls this year by officials from St. Helena, I have held two meetings since June with representatives of St. Helena's Executive and Legislative Councils. I am expecting to host another such meeting next month, when our colleagues from the Overseas Territories gather in London for the annual Overseas Territories Consultative Council.

Sudan

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans he has to help the refugees of the civil war in Sudan who have fled into Chad.

Hilary Benn: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 23 October 2003 to the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson), Official Report, column 691W.

Sudan

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) other representatives of the United Kingdom government have had with non-governmental organisations since the beginning of October concerning the humanitarian situation in West Darfur in Sudan; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The British Embassy in Khartoum, which includes DFID staff, continues to liaise closely with non-governmental organisations operational throughout Darfur—including those in West Darfur, such as Medair. DFID staff in London have also been in contact with non-governmental organisations working in this region.
	The situation in West Darfur, as across the region, is of paramount concern to the international community.
	We continue to support the work of key humanitarian agencies throughout the region—including UN, Red Cross and NGOs—and to raise the issue of access and security for humanitarian workers throughout Darfur with the Government of Sudan.

WTO Ministerial Conference

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he will reply to the letter dated 6 October from the Member for Banff and Buchan regarding the World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference.

Hilary Benn: Unfortunately, the Department has no record of having received this letter of 6 October. If the hon. Member would kindly re-send the letter I will ensure that he receives a prompt reply.

Zimbabwe

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the (a) effectiveness and (b) outcomes of the additional fund of emergency support to Zimbabwe announced on 23 October 2003.

Hilary Benn: On 23 October DFID pledged a further £5 million for food assistance in Zimbabwe, through the World Food Programme (WFP), and £1.88 million for essential childhood vaccines, through UNICEF. These pledges bring British Government assistance in addressing the current humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe to over £62 million since September 2001.
	I am confident that our financial assistance is being used effectively. The WFP has agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Zimbabwe which clearly sets out the humanitarian principles governing the identification of beneficiaries for WFP's ongoing emergency operation. Distribution procedures have been agreed with Government which give WFP's implementing partners (NGOs) a clear role in ensuring that donor-funded food aid reaches only those for whom it is intended. UNICEF has similarly robust procedures for ensuring that vaccines are used effectively for protecting vulnerable children from potentially fatal diseases, including tuberculosis, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, diphtheria, polio and measles.
	The DFID team based in Zimbabwe is closely monitoring both the effectiveness and the outcomes of UK humanitarian support. The UK's recent contribution to WFP includes a provision of £0.5 million to strengthen WFP's monitoring systems for donor-funded food distribution. This will enable WFP to produce comprehensive monthly reports on the processes and the impact of all food aid distributed by them, as well as providing a basis upon which to improve the design of future operations.

Zimbabwe

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the outcome was of the contract awarded to Oxford Policy Management Ltd. for a Zimbabwe Trade Policy Capacity Project; and what action he took to ensure that none of this money went to the Government of Zimbabwe and its officials.

Hilary Benn: The contract was terminated in July 2001 due to the political situation in Zimbabwe. The total spend was £10,100, paid to Oxford Policy Management Ltd.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Digital Television

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions her Department has had with the Treasury concerning the free provision of the new viewing card to former Solus card users aged 75 and over.

Tessa Jowell: My Department has had no such discussions with the Treasury. While the Government appreciate the importance of television to many pensioners. the provision of a Solus "viewing card" is a matter for the broadcasters.

Film Initiatives (Schools and Colleges)

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support her Department is giving to film initiatives in schools and colleges.

Estelle Morris: The UK Film Council, charged by the Government to support education about, and access to, film culture, runs the First Light initiative to help young people in schools and colleges make short films. The Creative Partnerships Programme has also run a number of film projects in schools, some in partnership with First Light.
	The British Film Institute, funded by the UK Film Council, runs a number of education projects in schools and colleges across the UK about film and the moving image.

Amateur Sport

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when amateur sporting clubs will be able to access rate relief.

Richard Caborn: Clubs may register with the Inland Revenue for Community Amateur Sport Club status immediately. Registered clubs will receive mandatory rate relief from 1 April 2004.

Monuments (Preferential Charging)

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the number of cultural and historical monuments which set preferential charges for (a) local residents and (b) UK nationals; and whether it is her policy to continue to permit such preferences.

Estelle Morris: If such preferential charges exist at cultural and historic sites owned by or managed on behalf of the state, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will not permit their continuance as this would be in breach of EU law.

Casinos

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures her Department will put in place to limit the proliferation of gaming in the planned liberalisation of casinos.

Tessa Jowell: Liberalisation of casinos must be controlled and balanced. We consulted about our proposals in August. We see real possibilities of using large resort casinos to secure regeneration benefits, but we do not want to see the proliferation of small casinos.
	The consultation ended recently. We are considering the responses.

Tourism

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many press releases her Department has issued since April that relate directly to tourism.

Richard Caborn: The Department has issued four press releases since April relating directly to tourism.
	We have also issued three press releases on the reform of the licensing system, which impacts directly on the tourism and hospitality sector.

Tourism

Harold Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans her Department has to improve the skills base in the tourism industry.

Richard Caborn: The Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism sectors are working with my Department and the Sector Skills Development Agency to set up a Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the industry. The SSC will be industry led and will co-ordinate the sectors approach to reducing the skills gaps and shortages and anticipate future needs. It will provide a one-stop shop for advice on learning and skills and sign post employers to other sources of help. The SSC will investigate the needs of both large and small employers and develop tailored support to help them achieve business objectives.

BBC

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the Office of Fair Trading report on independent productions transmitted by the BBC.

Tessa Jowell: I was very disappointed that the BBC failed to meet its 25 per cent. independent production quota for 2002–03. I take this extremely seriously and have written to the BBC Chairman, Gavyn Davies, to say so. In future, it will be a matter for Ofcom to enforce this quota and they will have powers to fine in cases of non-compliance.

BBC

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with the BBC on using the licence fee to fund the future development of its on-line services.

Tessa Jowell: I have had no recent discussions with the BBC on this matter. The BBC's online service is currently the subject of an independent review by Philip Graf. The findings of this review will feed into the forthcoming review of the BBC's Charter, and as such, will have a bearing on the funding arrangements for the future developments of BBC online services.

School Sport

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the Department for Education and Skills about widening the range of (a) competitive and (b) non-competitive sports in schools.

Richard Caborn: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State meets regularly with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to discuss issues of mutual concern. These include the Public Service Agreement target, shared by both departments, to increase the percentage of school children who spend a minimum of two hours each week on high quality PE and school sport—both competitive and non-competitive—within and beyond the curriculum to 75 per cent. by 2006.

Regional Theatre

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she has taken to ensure that small theatres in the regions of England receive a larger share of support from funding organisations; and if she will make a statement.

Estelle Morris: As a consequence of the theatre review in 2001, Arts Council England is allocating substantially more funding to regional theatre across England. From April this year the total budget for theatre is, £100 million and will increase further by 2005–06. This is exceptionally good news and will lead to more and better theatre for audiences across the country.

Tote

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on her plans to change the status of the Tote.

Tessa Jowell: We intend to bring forward legislative proposals when parliamentary time allows. These proposals will enable the Tote to be sold to a horse racing trust.

Lottery Grant (Telford)

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what level of Lottery grant money has been provided to organisations in Telford since 1997.

Estelle Morris: Since 1 January 1997, £14,163,229 has been allocated to 194 projects in the constituency of Telford.
	This is derived from the Department's Awards Database, which is based on information supplied by the distributing bodies.

Lottery Grant (Telford)

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what resources have been raised by the National Lottery for charitable purposes in Telford; and what money has been allocated to local projects there.

Estelle Morris: Since the start of the Lottery, £16,889,359 has been allocated to 214 projects in the constituency of Telford.
	This is derived from the Department's Awards Database, which is based on information supplied by the distributing bodies.
	Information about National Lottery ticket sales is not broken down by constituency, but the National Lottery Commission is able to provide information about sales broken down by postcode area. I shall write to my hon. Friend with it as soon as possible, placing copies of my letter in the Libraries both Houses.
	There is only an indirect link between ticket sales and money available for charitable purposes. Unclaimed prizes and interest earned are two factors that influence the overall amount of money available to the good causes. For this reason it is not possible to specify money for good causes as having come from particular area, geographical or otherwise.

Overseas Visitors

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many overseas visitors she estimates visited (a) the North West, (b) Lancashire and (c) Chorley in the last 12 months.

Richard Caborn: According to the North West Tourist Board, in 2002, an estimated 1.62 million overseas visitors visited the North West which includes Cumbria; an estimated 0.23 million overseas visits were made to Lancashire and approximately 6,380 overseas visits were made to Chorley.
	Note
	The figures have been supplied by the North West Tourist Board and are based on a visit Britain survey of overseas visits called the International Passenger Survey which collates information at national level.

Racing

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions her Department has had with racing authorities about the preliminary conclusion by the Office of Fair Trading on British racing; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: I met representatives of the Jockey Club on 5 November and will be meeting British Horseracing Board representatives on 11 November. Previously, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State discussed the matter with the racing industry at a seminar organised by the Department in July. Both the Jockey Club and the BHB have briefed my Department about the submissions which they have made to the Office of Fair Trading in response to the Rule 14 notice; but I cannot comment on a matter which is subject to a statutory process, yet to be completed, between the competition authorities and the parties.

School Sports Co-ordinator

Harold Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on the School Sports Co-ordinator programme;
	(2)  how many school sports co-ordinators are in post;
	(3)  what steps she is taking to improve school sports facilities;
	(4)  what steps her Department is taking in conjunction with local authorities to strengthen school sports;
	(5)  if she will make a statement on recent progress in highlighting the importance of sport in schools.

Richard Caborn: The Government is investing more than £1 billion in England to transform PE and school sport. This funding will help deliver an ambitious Public Service Agreement target, shared by DCMS and DfES, to increase the percentage of school children who spend a minimum of two hours each week on high quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum to 75 per cent. by 2006.
	Spearheading action is a massive expansion of the School Sport Co-ordinator programme. There are currently some 1,200 School Sport Co-ordinators and 6,000 Primary and Special School Link Teachers. This means that 30 per cent. of all schools in England now belong to one of the 222 School Sport Partnerships. We are working closely with local education authorities to ensure a continued strategic roll-out of this element of the national strategy for PE, school sport and club links.
	The investment also includes expenditure of £581 million from the New Opportunities Fund over the period 2002–03 to 2005–06 to bring about a step change in the provision of sports facilities for young people and the community generally; £130 million from the Space for Sport and Arts programme since 2000–01 for new or modernised sports and arts facilities in primary schools in 65 deprived LEAs; and £10 million from the Sporting Playgrounds programme to enhance primary school playgrounds in 27 deprived LEAs.

Sports (One Stop Planning)

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the sports that will be given specific One Stop Planning support; and what criteria were used in selecting the sports.

Richard Caborn: The following sports will be accorded UK-wide One Stop Planning support:
	athletics
	canoeing
	cycling
	equestrianism
	gymnastics/trampolining
	judo
	rowing
	sailing
	swimming/diving
	triathlon
	The primary criteria against which UK Sport selected these sports were: potential to deliver medals at the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games, track record of delivery against targets at previous Games, and capacity to provide high quality support for athletes. UK Sport's secondary criteria were public profile, and significance in contributing to wider sports participation targets. These criteria were agreed with the Home Nations Sports Councils.

Television Licence Fee

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of Freeview is paid for by the television licence fee.

Estelle Morris: Under the terms of the shareholder agreement which established Freeview (DTVS Ltd.), the BBC, BSkyB and Crown Castle each pay one third of the company's costs. These costs cover marketing and customer support for Freeview including the cost of liaising with manufacturers and retailers. In common with other broadcasters on the digital terrestrial platform, the BBC must also, separately, pay for the technical costs of broadcasting its channels, and make payments to the ITC for its multiplex licence, but these payments are not made to or through Freeview (DTVS Ltd.).

Work-related Stress

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many cases of work related stress have been reported in her Department in each of the last three years; how much compensation has been paid to employees; how many work days have been lost due to work related stress, and at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work related stress, and at what cost; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: DCMS does not hold data which separately identifies work-related sickness absence. DCMS has a legal obligation to provide a safe working environment for employees.
	The Department is committed to meeting targets for reducing the number of working days lost generally due to sickness absence and due to work related injuries and illness arising from the Government's Revitalising Health and Safety initiative. Guidance is available for all staff on how to manage stress effectively.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Sure Start

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many Sure Start programmes are running; and how many children are involved.

Margaret Hodge: There are now 521 Sure Start programmes up and running, providing services to around 390,000 children aged under four and their families in the most disadvantaged areas of the country.

Universal Children's Day

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make it his policy to accept UN Resolution 836 and establish and promote a Universal Children's day in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The Government's commitment to children and young people has been demonstrated by the creation of the post of Minister for Children, Young People and Families, the pulling together within DfES, from across Government of a range of services for children and families, and the publication of the green paper "Every Child Matters", which sets out a comprehensive programme of reform and improvement for the care of children.
	Both the Minister and officials work closely with children and young people themselves. A special edition of the Green Paper specifically aimed at children has been issued, and 50 separate consultation events are being held with children as a part in the consultation process, which lasts until 1 December.
	We consider that these measures are likely to be of greater value to children and young people than a Universal Children's Day.

Breakfast Clubs

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools in the UK provide breakfast clubs, broken down by education authority.

David Miliband: The Department does not keep a record of the number of breakfast clubs operating in any given area of the country. Breakfast clubs are available in a number of schools, and may form part of a school's study support or childcare provision for which Government funding is available. They can not only provide learning opportunities for pupils, but also help support the needs of working parents by offering food in a safe and stimulating environment for their children.

CAFCASS

Nick Hawkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to reform the management and organisation of CAFCASS.

Margaret Hodge: In response to one of the recommendations of the Committee on the Lord Chancellor's Department in their report on the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) (HC 614–1), I appointed Professor Sir Clive Booth to carry out a review of the skills required by the CAFCASS Board. I will consider his report before taking any decisions on the organisation of the Board.

Child Protection

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what response he has made to the letter of 3 November from the Chief Executive of Southend Borough Council relating to child protection.

Stephen Twigg: The Secretary of State has not received this letter.

Children and Young People's Unit

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the annual budget was for (a) staffing and (b) administering the Children and Young People's Unit in each year since it was established; and how much funding has been allocated by the CYPU to projects referred by the Children's Fund over the same period, broken down by region.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 28 October 2003
	The information requested is as follows.
	Staffing/Admin
	The Children's and Young People's Unit had a combined staffing and administration budget over financial years 2001–02, 2002–03 & 2003–04 of:
	Financial year 2001–02: £2.66 million
	Financial year 2002–03: £4.43 million
	Financial year 2003–04: £4.40 million
	This equates to approximately 2.6 per cent. of the Unit's overall budget. Children's Fund
	There are 149 Children's Fund partnership areas in England and individual partnership allocations were based on a formula derived from the number of children in households claiming means-tested benefit/allowance (as defined by Income Support, income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Family Credit and Disability Working Allowance).
	The Children's Fund was rolled out across England in three waves. £67.65 million was allocated to partnerships in 2001–02; £121.37 million in 2002–03; and £166.78 million in 2003–04. The attached table lists each of the 149 partnerships and their annual allocation since each partnership was implemented. Partnership allocations are the same for SR2000 and SR2002. Wave 1 partnerships began operating from 1 July 2001. Wave 2 partnerships began operating from 1 April 2002. Wave 3 partnerships began operating from 1 April 2003.
	
		
			 Partnership (Wave l) Annual allocation(£) 
		
		
			 Birmingham 6,000,000.00 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 900,000.00 
			 Blackpool 600,000.00 
			 Bolton 1,200,000.00 
			 Bradford 2,750,000.00 
			 Bristol 1,610,000.00 
			 Camden 800,000.00 
			 Cornwall 1,770,000.00 
			 Doncaster 1,350,000.00 
			 Gateshead 800,000.00 
			 Greenwich 1,290,000.00 
			 Hackney 1,400,000.00 
			 Halton 600,000.00 
			 Haringey 1,410,000.00 
			 Hartlepool 500,000.00 
			 Islington 900,000.00 
			 Kent 3,700,000.00 
			 Kingston upon Hull 1,550,000.00 
			 Knowsley 1,050,000.00 
			 Lancashire 4,000,000.00 
			 Leeds 2,650,000.00 
			 Leicester 1,600,000.00 
			 Lincolnshire 1,750,000.00 
			 Liverpool 2,800,000.00 
			 Manchester 2,960,000.00 
			 Middlesbrough 850,000.00 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 1,250,000.00 
			 Newham 1,900,000.00 
			 Norfolk 2,100,000.00 
			 Nottingham 1,700,000.00 
			 Oldham* 1,370,000.00 
			 Portsmouth 1,010,000.00 
			 Rochdale 1,330,000.00 
			 Salford 1,100,000.00 
			 Sandwell 1,610,000.00 
			 Sheffield 2,060,000.00 
			 Southwark 1,450,000.00 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 750,000.00 
			 Sunderland 1,530,000.00 
			 Tower Hamlets 1,700,000.00 
			 Total 67,650,000.00 
		
	
	
		
			 Partnership (Wave 2) Average annual allocation (£) 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 800,000.00 
			 Barnsley 900,000.00 
			 Bournemouth 400,000.00 
			 Brent 1,250,000.00 
			 Brighton 1,010,000.00 
			 Calderdale 700,000.00 
			 Cheshire 1,600,000.00 
			 County Durham 1,890,000.00 
			 Coventry 1,200,000.00 
			 Cumbria 1,300,000.00 
			 Darlington 407,000.00 
			 Derby 1,000,000.00 
			 Derbyshire 1,900,000.00 
			 Devon 1,800,000.00 
			 East Sussex 1,300,000.00 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 3,008,006.00 
			 Isle of Wight 400,000.00 
			 Kirklees 1,600,000.00 
			 Lambeth 1,300,000.00 
			 Lewisham 1,100,000.00 
			 Luton 1,090,000.00 
			 Medway 800,000.00 
			 North East Lincolnshire 700,000.00 
			 North Lincolnshire 500,000.00 
			 North Tyneside 700,000.00 
			 North Yorkshire 1,410,000.00 
			 Northamptonshire 1,810,000.00 
			 Northumberland 900,000.00 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,200,000.00 
			 Peterborough 700,000.00 
			 Plymouth 900,000.00 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 600,000.00 
			 Rotherham 1,100,000.00 
			 Sefton 1,000,000.00 
			 Solihull 850,000.00 
			 South Tyneside 700,000.00 
			 Southampton 800,000.00 
			 St. Helens 700,000.00 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 1,100,000.00 
			 Suffolk 1,730,000.00 
			 Tameside 900,000.00 
			 Telford and Wrekin 600,000.00 
			 Torbay 400,000.00 
			 Trafford 600,000.00 
			 Walsall 1,200,000.00 
			 Waltham Forest 1,000,000.00 
			 Wandsworth 700,000.00 
			 Westminster 500,000.00 
			 Wirral 1,570,000.00 
			 Wolverhampton 1,100,000.00 
			 Total 53,725,006.00 
		
	
	
		
			 Partnership (Wave 3) Average annual allocation (£) 
		
		
			 Barnet 700,000.00 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 360,000.00 
			 Bedfordshire 800,000.00 
			 Bexley 500,000.00 
			 Bracknell Forest 194,000.00 
			 Bromley 600,000.00 
			 Buckinghamshire 800,000.00 
			 Bury 600,000.00 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,000,000.00 
			 City of London 35,000.00 
			 Croydon 1,100,000.00 
			 Dorset 800,000.00 
			 Dudley 900,000.00 
			 Ealing 1,000,000.00 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 700,000.00 
			 Enfield 900,000.00 
			 Essex 3,100,000.00 
			 Gloucestershire 1,200,000.00 
			 Hampshire 2,400,000.00 
			 Harrow 479,000.00 
			 Havering 500,000.00 
			 Herefordshire 448,000.00 
			 Hertfordshire 2,000,000.00 
			 Hillingdon 600,000.00 
			 Hounslow 700,000.00 
			 Kensington and Chelsea* 360,000.00 
			 Kingston upon Thames 236,000.00 
			 Leicestershire 1,100,000.00 
			 Merton 488,000.00 
			 Milton Keynes 600,000.00 
			 North Somerset 398,000.00 
			 Oxfordshire 1,100,000.00 
			 Poole 355,000.00 
			 Reading 445,000.00 
			 Redbridge 700,000.00 
			 Richmond uponThames 222,000.00 
			 Rutland 40,000.00 
			 Shropshire 600,000.00 
			 Slough 443,000.00 
			 Somerset 1,200,000.00 
			 Southend-on-Sea 500,000.00 
			 South Gloucestershire 461,000.00 
			 Staffordshire 2,000,000.00 
			 Stockport 800,000.00 
			 Surrey 1,300,000.00 
			 Sutton 400,000.00 
			 Swindon 494,000.00 
			 Thurrock 451,000.00 
			 Wakefield 1,200,000.00 
			 Warrington 500,000.00 
			 Warwickshire 1,100,000.00 
			 West Sussex 1,400,000.00 
			 West Berkshire 224,000.00 
			 Wigan 1,000,000.00 
			 Wiltshire 800,000.00 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 187,000.00 
			 Wokingham 144,000.00 
			 Worcestershire 1,300,000.00 
			 York 450,000.00 
			 Total 45,414,000.00

Child Protection

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the (a) need for and (b) costs of enabling children's services in refuges to meet the national standards for under eights day care; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: Where refuges offer day care they will need to be registered and inspected by Ofsted, and the national standards for under eights day care would apply. Under an agreed protocol between Ofsted and the Women's Aid Federation of England (WAFE), the unique position of women's refuges is recognised and Ofsted's guidance to its child care inspectors indicates that their special circumstances should be taken into account in applying the national standards.
	Local authorities are funded to promote growth in the number of child care places generally and to provide information, training and advice to providers to help them meet the national standards. They work in partnership with refuges where appropriate.

Child Protection

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what checks are carried out into private companies who run children's homes.

Margaret Hodge: The requirements of the Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the Children's Homes National Minimum Standards must be complied with before an organisation can be registered with the National Care Standards Commission. A copy of the Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards have been placed in the Library.

Child Protection

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what role social services departments have in setting up children's homes.

Margaret Hodge: Social Services departments no longer register and inspect children's homes in their area. Any residential children's homes that are provided by local authorities are registered and inspected by the National Care Standards Commission in the same way as any other private or voluntary organisation providing residential children's homes. Each service provider must comply with the Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and Children's Homes National Minimum Standards.

Child Protection

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what consultation in the local area is required to be carried out for a proposed children's home for three or fewer children.

Margaret Hodge: There is no requirement for the consultation of local residents in relation to a proposed children's home. The NCSC does not distinguish between small children's homes and large children's homes for the purpose of registration.

Child Protection

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children were in privately-run children's homes in Somerset in the last year for which figures are available.

Margaret Hodge: The information requested is not available.
	The National Care Standards Commission's records show that as of 3 November 2003 there are places for 229 children in total in privately run children's homes in Somerset.

Condover Hall School

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what discussions his Department has had with the Royal National Institute for the Blind on the closure of Condover Hall School;
	(2)  if he will list the schools in England which provide the same education services as Condover Hall School for multisensory-disabled children;
	(3)  what discussion his Department has had with Shropshire county council LEA regarding the closure of Condover Hall School;
	(4)  how many children are taught at Condover Hall School;
	(5)  how many teachers he estimates will lose their jobs when Condover Hall School closes;
	(6)  what provision is being made to continue the education of the children taught at Condover Hall School when it closes.

Margaret Hodge: There are many schools in England, approved to make provision for pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties and severe learning difficulties which are able to provide services for multi-disabled pupils. We understand from the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) that its school, Rushton Hall, provides education services very similar to those provided at Condover Hall. Other schools which provide services for mulit-sensory disabled children, but with different patterns of residential provision are: St. David's Unit at the West of England School, Exeter; and the Royal School for the Blind in Liverpool. Liden Lodge School in the London borough of Wandsworth is also developing support for multi-sensory disabled children.
	Official at the DfES have had no discussions to date with Shropshire county council about the closure of Condover Hall School. We do of course stand ready to discuss the matter with any interested party, including local education authorities which currently make use of the school, if asked to do so.
	Officials have however asked the RNIB to clarify its plans for the closure of Condover Hall School, and in particular to explain how the RNIB intends to ensure that appropriate and realistic plans for the placement of children currently attending the school are in place. We are currently awaiting a response.
	Condover Hall School currently has 34 pupils of statutory school age. There are no primary age pupils. Six pupils are in year 13 and are due to leave school at the end of the summer term 2004. In addition there are 12 young adults, aged from 19–24, in the Adult Education Centre at Condover Hall School.
	Condover Hall School currently has 11 teachers, including the Principal and Deputy Headteacher. Nine teachers are employed in the main school and two in the Adult Education Centre. RNIB has stated its intention of exploring opportunities for redeployment of staff currently employed at Condover Hall.
	It will be for the home LEA of each child currently placed at Condover Hall to decide, based on the special educational needs of that child, the most suitable placement for them following the closure of the school.

Connexions

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many Connexions personal advisers were allocated to (a) information and advice in schools and colleges, (b) targeted preventative work in schools and colleges and (c) information and advice to those not engaged in education or training in (i) 2002–03 and (ii) 2003–04, in each Connexions region; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 23 October 2003
	Statistics relating to the specific areas listed in this question are not available from Connexions partnerships. Partnerships are required to show the percentages of total expenditure on both pre-16 and post-16 work. These figures include staff as well as other costs and give some indication of the balance of expenditure on young people during compulsory education and beyond. It can be assumed that the majority of pre-16 expenditure is devoted to young people wholly engaged in learning.
	The role of the personal adviser is very broad, covering initial information and advice through to more in-depth support. The specific roles of personal advisers within schools and colleges are determined via a partnership agreement signed between each institution and the partnership. This is a further reason why it is not possible to supply information in the forms requested.
	
		Analysis of Connexions grant spend
		
			  Percentage of grant spentby age group 
			  April 2002–March 2003 April 2003–June 2003(8) 
			 Partnership 13–16s 16–19s 13–16s 16–19s 
		
		
			 Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire 46 54 49 51 
			 Berkshire 46 54 47 53 
			 Surrey 52 48 52 48 
			 Kent and Medway(9) 56 44 — — 
			 Sussex 58 42 51 49 
			 South Central 51 49 53 47 
			  
			 London 
			 West London 44 56 47 53 
			 Central London 32 68 42 58 
			 North London 46 54 51 49 
			 East London 51 49 51 49 
			 South London 38 62 38 62 
			  
			 East of England
			 Norfolk 58 42 58 42 
			 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough 57 43 50 50 
			 Suffolk 42 58 40 60 
			 Bedfordshire and Luton 46 54 46 54 
			 Hertfordshire 53 47 53 47 
			 Essex, Southend and Thurrock 49 51 52 48 
			  
			 South West 
			 Gloucestershire 51 49 42 58 
			 Wiltshire and Swindon 40 60 48 52 
			 West of England 62 38 57 43 
			 Somerset 45 55 50 50 
			 Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole 54 46 53 47 
			 Cornwall and Devon 41 59 43 57 
			  
			 West Midlands 
			 Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin 65 35 65 35 
			 Staffordshire 48 52 42 58 
			 Black Country 40 60 46 54 
			 Birmingham and Solihull 47 53 48 52 
			 Coventry and Warwickshire 63 37 63 37 
			 Hereford and Worcester 54 46 54 46 
			  
			 East Midlands 
			 Derbyshire 62 38 62 38 
			 Nottinghamshire 60 40 54 46 
			 Lincolnshire and Rutland 42 58 40 60 
			 Leicestershire 45 55 45 55 
			 Northamptonshire 36 64 50 50 
			  
			 Yorks and the Humber
			 York and North Yorkshire 55 45 54 46 
			 West Yorkshire 53 47 53 47 
			 Humber 45 55 44 56 
			 South Yorkshire 45 55 45 55 
			  
			 North West 
			 Cumbria 41 59 41 59 
			 Lancashire 54 46 52 48 
			 Greater Manchester 50 50 50 50 
			 Greater Merseyside 44 56 45 55 
			 Cheshire and Warrington 58 42 58 42 
			 North East 
			 Northumberland (started 1 April 2003) 0 0 49 51 
			 Tyne and Wear 45 55 45 55 
			 County Durham 57 43 56 44 
			 Tees Valley 44 56 44 56 
			 England total 49 51 50 50 
		
	
	(8) The latest available information
	(9) Details not available for Q1 2003–04
	Source:
	Partnerships' Income and Expenditure Tables

Departmental Energy Use

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much (a) electricity and (b) other energy his Department has used in each year since 1997 (i) in total and (ii) per square metre; what the projected use is for each of the following years for which forecasts are made; what plans he has to reduce usage; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: In response to parts (a) and (b) parts (i) and (ii) of this question, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by Defra on 3 November 2003 (Official Report column 404W). Targets for future energy use on the Government Estate are being developed under the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate.
	Recent and planned changes to our estate due to the rationalisation of the use of our headquarters buildings have meant that we cannot accurately predict our energy consumption in the near future. My Department remains committed to reducing energy use as part of our own sustainable development plan, and as part of the government-wide programme to improve performance in this area.

Domestic Violence

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to ensure that the findings of the Government's "Safety and Justice" consultation on domestic violence are included in the outcome of the "Every Child Matters" consultation process.

Margaret Hodge: Responses to "Safety and Justice: The Government's Proposals on Domestic Violence" are currently being analysed and will be considered by Ministers shortly. I shall ask for details of those responses to "Safety and Justice" which have a bearing on our proposals for improving services to children and young people, as set out in the Green Paper "Every Child Matters", to be considered together with the responses received to that Green Paper.

Domestic Violence

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether issues relating to domestic violence will be included in the remit of the proposed Commissioner for Children.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 28 October 2003
	The Government set out in the Green Paper 'Every Child Matters' our intention to legislate for the appointment of a Children's Commissioner as a new voice for all children and young people, especially the disadvantaged. The Commissioner would ensure that the views of children and young people are heard, and report to Parliament through the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on progress against the outcomes for children set out in the Green Paper. Further details on the remit and responsibilities of the Commissioner will be made available in the light of the consultation which runs until 1 December.

Domestic Violence

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how cross-departmental policy implementation on issues relating to children and domestic violence will be organised.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 29 October 2003
	Cross-departmental issues relating to domestic violence, including those affecting children and young people, are overseen by the Inter-Ministerial Group for Domestic Violence chaired by Baroness Scotland of Asthal. Baroness Ashton of Upholland represents the Department for Education and Skills on the Inter-Ministerial Group.
	When necessary, issues relating to domestic violence and children and young people will be considered by the children, young people and family services Cabinet Committee MISC9 chaired by the Chancellor. The Secretary of State for Education and Skills has Cabinet-level responsibility for both policy and delivery of services for children and young people and is a member of MISC9. He is also chair of the Cabinet sub-Committee MISC9(D) which is responsible for ordinating the delivery of services to children, young people and families. I am a member of both MISC9 and MISC9(D).

Edexcel

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on (a) the role of coursework in the GCSE examination and (b) the International GCSE qualification developed by Edexcel exam board.

David Miliband: Coursework can be a valuable way of assessing achievement that cannot readily be demonstrated in an examination. The setting and assessment of coursework can help teaching and learning processes by measuring and encouraging the development of important skills not easily tested in timed written examinations, like the ability to tackle extended pieces of written work. The 14–19 Reform Group is considering the place of coursework in the 14–19 curriculum.
	The concept of an IGCSE is not a new one. The University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate has offered this type of examination since 1986. IGSEs have been designed as qualifications primarily for overseas candidates, with some take up in the independent sector. Unlike GCSEs they are not approved for use in maintained schools and are not subject to any regulatory mechanisms.

Education Formula Spending

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in annex D of his Department's policy guidance note, School and local education authority funding in 2003–04, what increase in the education formula spending was indicated for local education authority budget forecasters to use for 2004–05; and how this was determined.

David Miliband: The Department's guidance note, sent to local education authorities on 10 December 2003, included advice to authorities to help them in forecasting their budget over the period 2003–04 to 2005–06, so they could set indicative three-year budgets for schools.
	Based on the outcome of the 2002 Spending Review, the guidance noted that Education Formula Spending was planned to increase between 2003–04 and 2004–05 by 5.5 per cent. in cash, and approximately 6.0 per cent. per pupil, based on pupil number estimates from the Department's pupil projection model. It also noted that the floor and ceiling arrangements, introduced in 2003–04, would continue to operate in future years.
	The guidance explicitly recognised that the Department is unable to provide firm estimates of EFSS increases for future years for each authority.

Educational Psychologists

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what changes he has made to the work of educational psychologists in schools by grouping schools together; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: Educational psychologists are employed by local education authorities. Decisions on their deployment and use are therefore matters for LEAs to determine in the light of local circumstances and available resources. The grouping of schools in federations should not significantly affect the role or responsibilities of educational psychologists.

Educational Psychologists

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many educational psychologists are employed by each local education authority in London; and (a) how many were employed by, (b) how many retired (c) how many were recruited in and (d) what the vacancy rates were in each local authority in London for each of the last six years.

Stephen Twigg: The latest available information on the number of educational psychologists employed by local education authorities in London, and the number of vacant posts is given in the following table:
	
		Educational psychologists (full-time equivalent) London
		
			  Vacancies   In Service 
			 LEA 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			  
			  
			 City of London 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0 0 0 
			 Camden 7.5 7.5 10.9 12.0 11.2 13.0 0 0 0 
			 Greenwich 16.9 15.9 12.9 14.5 15.5 20.8 1 0 0 
			 Hackney 10.0 10.5 11.7 12.5 11.5 11.0 1 2 0 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 7.5 9.3 7.5 5.9 8.4 10.1 1 0 0 
			 Islington 13.0 12.3 14.1 12.0 10.3 9.3 0 0 0 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 10.0 8.0 8.0 6.0 7.0 6.5 0 0 0 
			 Lambeth 8.0 10.7 13.4 15.1 14.8 14.3 0 0 0 
			 Lewisham 13.5 12.5 12.5 13.5 14.0 12.0 0 0 0 
			 Southwark 11.1 12.3 12.3 11.7 13.3 11.7 2 3 4 
			 Tower Hamlets 29.6 15.7 15.3 14.4 13.0 13.0 0 1 2 
			 Wandsworth 11.6 10.7 11.3 11.0 12.4 11.7 0 1 1 
			 City of Westminster 7.0 7.0 7.0 9.4 8.8 8.8 0 1 1 
			 Barking and Dagenham 10.9 11.9 14.0 11.9 13.2 12.7 3 2 2 
			 Barnet 15.5 15.5 14.4 15.5 12.0 15.7 1 4 0 
			 Bexley 10.0 11.0 10.6 10.1 9.0 8.8 0 0 0 
			 Brent 10.0 9.4 10.0 11.0 12.0 11.0 0 0 3 
			 Bromley 12.0 12.0 11.0 11.5 10.0 10.0 1 2 0 
			 Croydon 14.6 13.9 13.4 11.6 14.4 12.1 1 0 0 
			 Ealing 13.8 23.8 14.7 13.7 16.2 11.7 1 0 2 
			 Enfield 12.7 17.6 20.6 19.2 21.0 16.5 3 1 3 
			 Haringey 13.3 15.0 14.1 11.6 10.3 10.1 2 2 3 
			 Harrow 4.6 8.7 10.3 10.9 9.6 9.3 1 1 1 
			 Havering 9.6 9.5 9.5 9.5 9.5 10.5 0 0 0 
			 Hillingdon 13.8 15.3 14.2 15.5 14.1 15.6 0 0 0 
			 Hounslow 10.5 10.0 10.5 10.5 9.8 8.4 0 0 1 
			 Kingston upon Thames 6.9 5.7 6.8 5.4 7.6 7.6 1 0 0 
			 Merton 6.5 6.5 6.8 9.6 9.9 6.9 0 0 1 
			 Newham 12.8 15.5 19.0 17.7 16.0 12.5 4 5 9 
			 Redbridge 8.2 10.0 10.4 7.4 10.2 9.8 2 0 0 
			 Richmond upon Thames 7.6 7.6 7.1 6.1 0.0 6.1 1 0 1 
			 Sutton 5.0 6.5 8.9 10.8 8.7 8.2 0 0 1 
			 Waltham Forest 13.0 13.0 13.0 8.3 11.5 17.5 1 0 0 
			 Total London 357.1 370.9 376.4 366.0 365.5 363.5 27 25 35 
		
	
	Source:
	Annual form 618G surveys of teachers in service and teacher vacancies.
	The Department does not collect information on the number of new recruits or retirements in any given period. Manpower planning issues fall to local education authorities, as employers, to determine in light of local circumstances and available resources. Data on vacancy rates are only available from 2001.

First Aid

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if he will amend the OFSTED requirements of the first aid training standard for pre-school and nursery settings to ensure that there is a paediatric component in first aid courses;
	(2)  if he will set out for each setting inspected by OFSTED (a) the published standard for first aid training, (b) the length of training required and (c) the areas to be covered by the training.

Margaret Hodge: Ofsted registers and inspects pre-schools, day nurseries and childminders having regard to national standards set by the Department for Education and Skills. Revised national standards for under eights day care and childminding came into force in September 2003. For pre-school and nursery settings the standards specify that there is at least one member of staff with a current first aid training certificate on the premises or on outings at any one time, and that the first aid qualification includes training in first aid for infants and young children. The revisions make it clear that this training has to be consistent with any guidance issued by the Secretary of State to local authorities, who are responsible for making training available to settings.
	We will issue guidance shortly, and this will include advice on the length of training and areas to be covered.

Foster Carers

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to allow for short break provision to be granted to foster carers; what additional support can be given in cases where foster parents have allegations made against them; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: Foster carers can already receive "short breaks" and the Fostering Services National Minimum Standards (March 2002) require the provision of independent support to foster carers during an investigation. The Green Paper, "Every Child Matters" contains a number of proposals to improve the recruitment and retention of foster carers. These include improving support for carers facing allegations and improved short break provision. The Green Paper is now out for consultation until 1 December 2003.

Graduate Tax

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  for what reason it was stated in his circular, The Government's Higher Education Proposals Explained, of 5 November, that the proceeds of a graduate tax cannot be earmarked by statute for use in the funding of higher education alone;
	(2)  for what reason it was stated in his circular, The Government's Higher Education Proposals Explained, of 5 November, that a graduate tax is necessarily payable throughout a graduate's life;
	(3)  for what reason it was stated in his circular, The Government's Higher Education Proposals Explained, of 5 November, that a graduate tax would necessarily not have an earnings threshold below which no repayments are made;
	(4)  for what reason it was stated in his circular, The Government's Higher Education Proposals Explained, of 5 November, that a graduate tax would necessarily not recover the money for higher education funding for at least 20 years;
	(5)  for what reason it was stated that a graduate tax would have to run alongside the student loan system in his circular, The Government's Higher Education Proposals Explained, of 5 November.

Alan Johnson: The circular referred to is a party political document. I will write to my hon. Friend separately.

Licensed Deficit Arrangements

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on how he estimates the granting of additional transitional funds to a local education authority will affect its obligations under the licensed deficit arrangements.

David Miliband: Local education authorities which allow licensed deficits for schools have various obligations specified in their schemes, including the maintenance of limits on the repayment periods and adherence to a maximum proportion of total school balances used to underwrite the deficits. None of these obligations will be directly affected by transitional support grant announced on 29 October, except insofar as use of such grant is likely to produce less pressure on local resources since the transitional grant is to be targeted specifically at those schools facing the greatest difficulty in bringing their budgets back into balance, on the basis of costed plans produced by those schools.

National Healthy School Award

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what the costs have been of setting up the National Healthy School Award;
	(2)  how many schools have signed up to the Healthy Schools programme; and how many of those schools have been accredited with the National Healthy School Standards, broken down by local education authority.

Stephen Twigg: The table shows the level of direct financial support for the National Healthy Schools Standard (NHSS) from central Government sources since its launch in 1999–2000. Information on any additional support from the local NHSS or from Local Education Authorities is not held centrally.
	
		£ million
		
			 Year(allocations) From the Department of Health From the Department for Education and Skills Total 
		
		
			 1999–2000 2 2 4 
			 2000–01 6 2 8 
			 2001–02 5.8 2 7.8 
			 2002–03 5.5 2 7.5 
			 2003–04 5.5 2 7.5 
		
	
	Over 14,000 schools have signed up to the Healthy Schools programme of which we expect 9,482 to be accredited as working at the most intensive level of involvement of level 3 by March 2004. The table attached shows the number of schools accredited with the standard and the breakdown by each local education authority.

Ofsted

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people have been employed by OFSTED on a (a) part-time, (b) full-time and (c) contractual basis in each year since 1997.

David Miliband: This is a matter for OFSTED. HM Chief Inspector, David Bell, will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of his letter in the Library.

Retained Funding

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on his assessment of whether its proposed levels of retained funding for 2004–05 will leave local education authorities with sufficient funds to meet their obligations to provide universal support for all three-year-olds from April 2004.

David Miliband: Draft Regulations placing limits on the sums that local education authorities can retain for central expenditure within their Schools Budget in 2004–05 were published, for consultation, on 29 October. A copy of the draft Regulations has been placed in the Library of the House.
	The draft Regulations recognise that some authorities will need to increase their central expenditure in order to deliver universal three year-old nursery provision, and, in placing limits on central expenditure, specifically allow for such increases.

School Meals

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to ensure that the content and quality of school meals is regularly monitored and evaluated.

Stephen Twigg: It is the responsibility of the local education authority or, where a budgetary element for school meals has been delegated to them, a school's governing body to ensure that the statutory nutritional standards for school lunches are met. The Department for Education and Skills, in partnership with the Food Standards Agency, has commissioned research by Kings College London to assess whether food provided for and consumed during school lunches in a sample of maintained secondary schools in England complies with statutory nutritional standards and associated guidance. We expect that the findings of this survey will be available in spring 2004.

School Meals

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make it his policy to prevent school meals providers from advertising or promoting food or drink with a high fat or sugar content; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: It is the responsibility of the governing body to decide what food and drink products should be available or promoted on school premises.
	The Department in conjunction with the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers and the National Consumers' Association has published 'Commercial Activities in Schools: best Practice Principles'. The purpose of this guidance is to identify best practice and to ensure that educational benefits are not compromised by commercial considerations.

School Meals

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what training is provided for school governors on (a) their responsibility for ensuring that school meals meet the required standards and (b) the methods to be used for evaluating the quality of school meals.

Stephen Twigg: The Department for Education and Skills has produced the 'Healthy School Guidance' to help governors and caterers implement the nutritional standards.
	The October 2002 newsletter for governors contains a section on nutrition and further information on food related programmes operated by this Department and other organisations. A copy of the governors newsletter can be viewed on the website—www.dfes.gov.uk/governor.
	In the publication 'A Guide to the Law for School Governors', chapter five contains information on support and training for governors. This can also be viewed on the website.

School Meals

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to promote the use of new technology to provide a menu assessment tool for primary school meals.

Stephen Twigg: The Department for Education and Skills has no plans to introduce a menu assessment tool for school meals.
	In the Department's Healthy School Lunches guidance for school caterers on implementing the national minimum nutritional standards, there is an example of a self monitoring checklist for compulsory requirements. The guidance includes enough information to monitor the nutritional standards. The guidance can be viewed on the Department's website—www.dfes.gov.uk/schoollunches.

School Funding

Andrew Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether it is his policy to adhere to the 2002 spending review increase in the national control total for 2004–05.

David Miliband: Yes.

Skills for Life Survey

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the finding in the recent Skills for Life survey carried out by his Department that the expansion to access in higher education has not led to marked improvements in literacy and numeracy.

Alan Johnson: The Skills for Life survey shows that education is highly correlated with literacy and numeracy skills—both in terms of age of completing full time education and the highest qualification. The vast majority of those with degrees have Level 2 or higher literacy and numeracy, and the converse is true for those with low level or no qualifications.
	The survey provides the first national profile of adult literacy and numeracy skills and demonstrates the need for the Government to continue its sustained drive to improve adult basic skills training and school standards. To date over 1.8 million adults have started basic skills courses as part of the Government's 'Skills for Life' programme.

Student Finance

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much will be spent by his Department on maintenance grants for students at university in financial years (a) 2004–05 and (b) 2005–06.

Alan Johnson: The Higher Education Grant is being introduced for new students starting in the 2004/05 academic year and the cost will build up cohort by cohort. We estimate that the cost will be between £63–£75 million in the 2004–05 financial year and £146–£177 million in the 2005–06 financial year, depending on the actual number of students entering higher education in those years and their precise income distribution. We expect the steady state cost of the higher education grant to be around £300 million.

Student Finance

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the average income from part-time or full-time work of students studying in higher education.

Alan Johnson: The Department has conducted a Student Income and Expenditure Survey (SIES) for the 2002–3 academic year. It will provide up-to-date information on students' employment patterns and their income from paid work in the 2002–03 academic year for full-time, young, single, childless, English and Welsh domiciled students who are undertaking an undergraduate degree at publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in England and Wales in 2002–3.
	The Department will announce a date for publication once the research report has been finalised. Once published, the Department will use the data for further analysis of students' income and employment.

Teenage Pregnancy

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research has been conducted into the cost of the morning-after pill and its affordability in (a) disadvantaged areas and (b) areas where the incidence of teenage pregnancy is higher than average.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 6 November 2003
	Research into the affordability of emergency contraception is unnecessary because it is available free to all women from a number of services including General Practice, community family planning clinics, youth advisory clinics and community pharmacists working to Patient Group Direction's under NHS arrangements. All areas are looking at improving the accessibility of free emergency contraception particularly those where the incidence of teenage pregnancy is higher than average. In addition, women age 16 plus can buy emergency contraception as a pharmacy product. The price of emergency contraception is set by the manufacturer.

Teenage Pregnancy

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his policy is on the over the counter provision of the morning-after pill free of charge, in areas where levels of teenage pregnancy are higher than average, to young people who have not received prior counselling on birth control.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 6 November 2003
	There are three routes for the supply of emergency contraception: on prescription through a medical practitioner, as a prescription only medicine under a patient group direction (PGD) or as a pharmacy product.
	Emergency contraception is only provided to young people under 16 under medical supervision. This includes the supply by other health professionals, such as school nurses and community pharmacists, working to PGDs. A Patient Group Direction is a written instruction for the supply or administration of medicines to groups of patients without an individualised doctor's prescription.
	All health professionals providing emergency contraception are trained to ensure that young women are informed about and encouraged to visit local services that provide regular forms of contraception and condoms to protect against sexually transmitted infections.
	Services aimed at improving early access to emergency contraception should be seen in the context of a much wider programme of the Government's Teenage Pregnancy and Sexual Health and HIV Strategies. This includes helping young people to resist pressure to have early sex through improved sex and relationship education, improving knowledge of risks of unprotected sex, increasing early uptake of contraceptive and sexual health advice by sexually active young people and involving parents and the wider community.

Training Links

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to develop stronger (a) links and (b) partnerships between higher education, training providers and the small business community.

Alan Johnson: Our plans for strengthening partnerships between higher education institutions, training providers and industry, including small business were set out in The future of higher education' published in January this year and also in '21st Century Skills: Realising Our Potential' published in July.
	Our plans include expanding Foundation Degrees which are designed with employers to meet their needs; support via the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) which includes setting up a network of Knowledge Exchanges to benefit local business communities; and, New Technology Institutes (Nils) to provide advanced technology skills.
	We are also establishing Sector Skills Councils which will address sector skills needs and are also developing stronger arrangements at regional level between Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), business and education and training providers to develop strategies for tackling local and regional skills needs.

Transitional Funding

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will (a) list the criteria that were used to determine which authorities should receive additional transitional funding for 2004–05, (b) set out the basis on which the amounts were calculated and (c) make a statement on why Lancashire did not receive an allocation of these monies.

David Miliband: Details of the transitional support package for 2004–05, including details of the formula for calculating which local education authorities will be eligible, will be published at the time of the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this month.
	On 29 October the Government published indicative figures for the targeted grant in 2004–05, which have been placed in the Library of the House. These assumed that grant would be available to authorities whose increase in Education Formula Spending and relevant DfES grant between 2002–03 and 2004–05 would otherwise be less than 12 per cent. per pupil. The increase in Lancashire LEA is expected to be above 12 per cent. per pupil over the relevant period, which means it would not be eligible for the targeted grant.
	However, if Lancashire or any other LEA is able to put forward a compelling case that additional, transitional funds are needed in the short term—above and beyond those already available to the LEA—my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be prepared to consider bringing forward grant payments from my Department, so that the LEA will have funds available in 2004–05 for this purpose, with the expectation of a consequential reduction to what they will receive in future years. The maximum amount that might be made available in this way would be £300,000 per authority, or 0.2 per cent. of the authority's total education resources in 2004–05, if that is higher. For Lancashire, 0.2 per cent. of its education resources would be over £1.2 million.

Transitional Funding

Ian Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the indicative allocation of targeted transitional grant 2004–05 is for Surrey.

David Miliband: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced, in his statement to the House on 29 October, that targeted transitional grant will be made available to about one third of local education authorities next year, so that the total increase in education resources for every authority, over the two year period between 2002–03 and 2004–05, will be a minimum of 12 per cent. per pupil.
	Final allocations of targeted transitional grant will be announced at the time of the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement. The indicative allocations published on 29 October made no allocation to Surrey, whose total increase in education resources between 2002–03 and 2004–05 was estimated to be above 12 per cent. per pupil. A list of indicative allocations has been placed in the Library of the House.

Tuition Fees

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether after the introduction of variable tuition fees in 2006, those higher education institutions wishing (a) to charge fees not exceeding the current standard flat-rate fees and (b) wishing to charge top-up fees for only some of their courses will be required to conclude a (i) full and (ii) partial access agreement.

Alan Johnson: As we set out in Widening participation in higher education, any higher education provider wishing to charge variable fees for any of its courses above the standard rate from 2006, will need to have an access agreement approved by the Office for Fair Access (OFFA). Institutions which do not charge fees above the standard rate for any of their courses will not be required to have an access agreement.

Tuition Fees

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the public expenditure impact of including the income of cohabiting partners and new spouses in the assessment of residual income for tuition fee exemption from 2004–05; and what estimate he has made of the net change in the numbers paying full tuition fees which will result from the change.

Alan Johnson: We estimate that the change resulting from including the income of cohabiting partners and spouses will produce steady state savings of approximately £30 million on funding of tuition fees by 2007–08. The change is to be introduced for new students entering HE from 2004–05 onwards.
	This estimate has been derived using income-data from a number of sources and is indicative. Our best indication is that it could account for an increase of approximately three percentage points in the proportion of dependent students paying full tuition fees. We cannot give a precise estimate at this stage since some families will benefit from other aspects of the new household income definition, such as the new £1000 disregard for children financially dependent on the household.

Tuition Fees

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, from 
	(1)  how many universities he has received representations on allowing them to charge tuition fees of more than £5,000 per annum;
	(2)  which universities have indicated they wish to charge tuition fees above £3,000 a year;
	(3)  if he will list the universities which have made representations to him on the level of tuition fees they wish to be free to charge, broken down by level.

Alan Johnson: I have received numerous representations on a number of matters from universities, both by means of formal correspondence and in meetings with Vice Chancellors. The level of fee has been covered in general terms in a number of these discussions.

Tuition Fees

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much of the money raised by universities from variable tuition fees he estimates will be invested in (a) teaching, (b) research, (c) bursaries for poorer students and (d) other categories if his proposals are implemented.

Alan Johnson: It will be for universities to decide how to invest their income in teaching and in research. We are considering and discussing how access to higher education can be safeguarded—for example through bursaries for poorer students—at institutions which decide to charge tuition fees above the standard rate.

Tuition Fees

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many universities he estimates will charge the proposed maximum annual tuition fee in respect of courses covering up to (a) 10 per cent., (b) 20 per cent., (c) 30 per cent., (d) 40 per cent., (e) 50 per cent., (f) 60 per cent., (g) 70 per cent., (h) 80 per cent., (i) 90 per cent. and (j) 100 per cent. of their projected student intake within (i) one year, (ii) two years, (iii) three years and (iv) more than three years of the implementation of his proposals.

Alan Johnson: It will be up to universities themselves to set their fee levels, provided that they have an access agreement approved by the Office for Fair Access.

University Funding

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the funding gap faced by universities in 2003–04.

Alan Johnson: The White Paper The future of higher education' highlighted studies showing that there was a need for some £8 billion of investment in infrastructure and referred to the continuing concerns about the ability of higher education institutions to recruit, retain and reward the best researchers. The funding announced in the White Paper and in the annual grant letter to the Higher Education Funding Council for England provides annual increases in higher education funding in England of 6 per cent. above inflation in each of the years to 2005–06.

University Funding

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received from businesses on their preferred methods of contributing to more funding for teaching in universities.

Alan Johnson: None.

University Medical Schools

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 21 October, Official Report, column 502W, on university medical schools, if he will break down the sum of £126,092 by individual institution in receipt of such funding; how many of the full-time medical students were on a course that leads to registration with the General Medical Council and subsequent clinical practice as a doctor; and if he will break down such students on courses leading to registration with the GMC by university.

Alan Johnson: The sum referred to was allocated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) which does not, as a matter of policy, publish sensitive student data at course level for individual institutions. Of the 480 full-time students under 21 in medical schools, only 81 are on a course that leads to registration with the General Medical Council and subsequent practice as a doctor.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Abuse

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many offences of child abuse there were in Romford in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many muggings there were in Romford in each year since 1997.

Paul Goggins: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 14 October 2003, Official Report, column 18W.

ADD/ADHD

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what research his Department has commissioned into ADD/ADHD in young offender institutions;
	(2)  what meetings have been held between his Department and the Departments for Health and Education and Skills on ADD/ADHD among inmates of young offender institutions;
	(3)  what steps his Department has taken to assess the implications on behavioural difficulties of ADD/ADHD in young people in young offender institutions;
	(4)  how many young people were diagnosed with (a) ADD, (b) ADHD and prescribed Ritalin in (i) young offender institutions and (ii) secure training centres in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: The Youth Justice Board (YJB) has commissioned Manchester University to undertake research at six sites, four of which are young offenders' institutions, into the prevalence of mental ill health, including Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder (ADHD), and effective mental health practice. The YJB has developed a Mental Health Screening Tool and guidance on effective mental health practice. It is also developing a mental health awareness training pack for use by teams working with young people who come into contact with the criminal justice system.
	Officials in the Home Office and the Department of Health regularly discuss the whole range of health care issues in prisons and young offender institutions. The extent to which Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)/ADHD may be a significant problem in individual prison establishments would be expected to emerge from the regular health needs assessments undertaken jointly by prisons and their national health service partners.
	The Department of Health, the Prison Service and the YJB have created a new post of Programme Manager for Juvenile Health. This post will enable a greater focus on health issues such as ADD/ADHD, which are of potentially great significance in young offender institutions. The Government are investing significant additional resources, rising to around an extra £46 million in England by 2005–06, in prison health services over the next three years. Information is not collected centrally about the number of young people in young offenders' institutions and the juvenile secure estate who have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD or the particular treatments prescribed for them.

Administrative Staff (Police)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much of the budget for personnel within the London borough of Havering Police Force was spent on administrative employees in 2002–03.

Hazel Blears: The Commissioner of the Metropolis informs me that £1,630,520 was spent on police staff in Havering in the financial year 2002–03. This was 12 per cent. of the total pay bill for the year.

Antisocial Behaviour

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions there have been between his Department and the Office of the Solicitor General regarding the involvement of the Crown Prosecution Service in local antisocial behaviour strategies.

Hazel Blears: My officials have liased directly, and have worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service on the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill and the development of Anti-Social Behaviour Prosecutors.

Child Abuse

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent meetings he has held with the Association of Chief Police Officers on safeguards for historical child abuse investigations.

Hazel Blears: In June 2003, following the debate on the Home Affairs Committee (HAC)'s report on "The Investigation of Past Cases of Abuse in Children's Homes," Discussions should be held between the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Home Office to determine whether further safeguards could be built into the dip sampling process and to reconsider the issue of recording witness statements in video in these cases.
	I am corresponding with ACPO regarding these matters.

Cognitive Skills Programme (Offenders)

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Home Office Research Study on cognitive skills programmes and two-year reconviction rates for offenders.

Paul Goggins: The latest evaluation of prison-based cognitive skills programmes was reported in Home Office Research Finding 206 published in July 2003. The study found no difference in two-year reconviction rates for offenders who participated in programmes and a matched comparison group for the period 1996 to 1998. This study contrasted with Home Office Research Finding 161 published in 2002, which found a statistically significant reduction in two-year reconviction rates for programme participants between 1994 and 1996 compared to a matched comparison group. Both studies involved adult male prisoners.
	The latest findings relate to a period when programmes were rapidly expanded and this may have affected their delivery and outcomes. Further research is needed to determine in greater detail which programmes are suitable for particular offenders. A third Home Office study of cognitive skills programmes in prisons for the period 1998 to 2000 is expected to be published before the end of the year. A Home Office study evaluating cognitive skills programmes in the community between 2000 and 2001 is expected to report reconviction outcomes before the end of 2004.

Compensation

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much compensation has been paid by (a) the police, (b) the Prison Service and (c) his Department in each year since 1990.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is set out in the following table. However the information is available only for the last five years because the cost of interrogating records beyond that would be disproportionate.
	The Home Office does not collate and hold information regarding compensation paid by individual police authorities and forces.
	Police
	The Police do not hold detailed information centrally and each area is responsible for its own compensation reporting.
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 Prison Service  
			 2002–03 9,691,283.06 
			 2001–02 12,321,679.28 
			 2000–01 15,305,570.11 
			 1999–2000 6,498,507.33 
			 1998–99 477,497.50 
			   
			 Home Office total  
			 2002–03 238,515,530.61 
			 2001–02 243,085,189.62 
			 2000–01 220,759,992.63 
			 1999–2000 123,274,145.86 
			 1998–99 142,423,165.39 
			   
			 of which:  
			  Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority 
			 2002–03 237,264,000.00 
			 2001–02 233,264,000.00 
			 2000–01 200,500,000.00 
			 1999–2000 121,500,000.00 
			 1998–99 106,500,000.00

Corporate Killing

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out his timetable for introducing legislation to tackle corporate killing.

Paul Goggins: The Government has made a commitment to publish firm proposals for reforming the law on corporate manslaughter before the end of the year. A Bill will be introduced as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

Corporate Killing

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the draft Bill on corporate manslaughter; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: A Bill will be introduced as soon as Parliamentary time allows. The Government have made a commitment to publish draft proposals for reforming the law on corporate manslaughter before the end of the year.

Correspondence

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received a copy of a letter dated 25 September from UK Visas, concerning the case of Jaswinder Singh (ECR88274102S); and when he will inform the Foreign Office of the outcome of this case.

Chris Mullin: I have been asked to reply.
	UK Visas's letter of 25 September was not passed to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary since this referred to an entry clearance matter, which is primarily a Foreign and Commonwealth Office matter.
	It is not our practice to disclose details of individual entry clearance cases in a public forum. I am withholding the information requested about the outcome of this case under exemption 5 of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. However, I will shortly write to my hon. Friend with regard to this matter.

Correspondence

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter sent to him by the hon. Member for Yeovil on 7 October.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 5 November 2003
	My hon. Friend the Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) wrote to hon. Member on 4 November 2003.

Correspondence

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 2 September from the Member for Banff and Buchan to the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston regarding his constituent, Mrs. N. Cook, of Ash Recruitment Services.

Beverley Hughes: I apologise to the hon. Member that he was not kept informed of progress in replying to his letter. Initially it was unclear whether the response should come from the Home Office, or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). However, this letter has since been accepted by the FCO who will reply shortly.

Correspondence

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 9 September from the Member for Banff and Buchan to the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston concerning HIV testing of asylum seekers.

Beverley Hughes: My hon. Friend the Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) wrote to the hon. Member on 6 November 2003.

Correspondence

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letters of 25 October 2001 and 17 July 2002 from the hon. Member for Beaconsfield.

Beverley Hughes: I replied to the hon. Member on 15 August 2002.

Crime Statistics

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the reasons for trends in robbery in Nottinghamshire between December 2001 and 2002.

Hazel Blears: There was an increase in robbery across England and Wales in 2001–02, which occurred principally in urban areas. Nottinghamshire was one of the areas affected. According to Home Office research, the increase in robbery over this period is attributable to several factors, in particular, the rise in the number of young people robbing other young people allied to the sharp increase in mobile phone ownership providing easy targets for offenders. While Nottinghamshire was not one of the areas that the research drew data from, it aimed to consider a sufficiently large sample to gain an impression of the nature of robbery in different areas of England and Wales. On 14 October 2002, the Home Office published figures for the first six months of the Street Crime Initiative (April to September 2002), which showed that there had been 19 per cent. more robberies in Nottinghamshire in the six-month period April to September 2002 compared to the same period in 2001. By the end of the year, the increase had reduced to 3 per cent. (comparing the 12-month period with the previous year).

Crime Statistics

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what trends there have been in the level of street crime in the areas targeted by the Street Crime Initiative since December 2002.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office Statistical Bulletin, "Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to June 2003", published on 16 October 2003, shows that recorded robbery fell by an estimated seven per cent. in April to June 2003 compared with the same period in the previous year. This quarterly update does not give figures for individual forces. Data for individual forces will be available in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin for the financial year 2003–04, expected to be published in the summer of 2004.
	The latest published figures for individual forces relate to 2002–03, published in July. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 16 September 2003, Official Report, column 674W.

Crime Victims

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to develop a list of services to victims of crime which are available from the (a) probation and (b) prison service.

Paul Goggins: General information about the National Probation Service's (NPS) statutory victim contact scheme is already available on the probation service website at www.probation.homeoffice.gov.uk and in the Home Office leaflet: "Release of Prisoners: Information for victims of sexual or other violent offences". The leaflet is free and is available in a range of languages and is given, by the police, to victims who are eligible for the statutory scheme. The leaflet also contains information about the Prison Service Victims' Helpline and the services available from Victim Support. More detailed information about probation service work with victims can be obtained from local probation area offices. There are no plans to develop or publish a separate list of services for victims of crime available from either service as this information is already in the public domain.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 1 September 2003, Official Report, column 961W, how many disclosures were issued each month; and what the average length of time was it took each month to issue them.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 11 September 2003
	The information requested is shown in the table:
	
		Issued by month and average turnaround times
		
			 Month Standard disclosures issued Enhanced disclosures issued Total disclosures issued Average turnaround time 
		
		
			 March 2002 22 20 42 (10)— 
			 April 2002 409 2,389 2,798 19.91 
			 May 2002 2,070 17,376 19,446 25.57 
			 June 2002 4,315 30,585 34,900 33.91 
			 July 2002 12,828 76,258 89,086 20.48 
			 August 2002 14,116 96,295 110,411 26.22 
			 September 2002 16,613 118,505 135,118 31.98 
			 October 2002 22,620 159,226 181,846 30.25 
			 November 2002 23,257 159,199 182,456 34.22 
			 December 2002 22,347 148,707 171,054 34.29 
			 January 2003 18,251 152,442 170,693 45.54 
			 February 2003 20,816 142,330 163,146 40.45 
			 March 2003 21,814 158,915 180,729 33.00 
			 April 2003 19,700 140,259 159,959 22.03 
			 May 2003 19,535 139,962 159,497 23.54 
			 June 2003 23,644 152,363 176,007 25.39 
			 July 2003 28,388 196,538 224,926 25.11 
			 Total 270,745 1,891,369 2,162,114 29.49 
		
	
	(10) No data
	The figures show the Criminal Records Bureau's steadily improving performance in recent months as regards turnaround times and output. The increase in July's turnaround time figure can be attributed to a surge in applications during the last two weeks in June in advance of the increase in fees taking effect.
	The Criminal Records Bureau received approximately 50,000 more applications than its usual intake during this period. While this increase in applications temporarily increased the turnaround times for applications, the Criminal Records Bureau has continued to meet its standard of service targets.

Custody (Deaths)

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to ensure that families whose children have died in custody are informed of developments in investigations;
	(2)  what measures are in place to prevent death of young people in custody.

Paul Goggins: All deaths in prison custody are subject to a police investigation and a coroner's inquest before a jury, in which the family can be involved. The Prison Service conducts an internal investigation and is currently trialling new guidelines designed to incorporate independence and ensure greater participation of the family, for example, by commenting on the terms of reference of the investigation and having discussions with members of the investigatory team.
	In the case of a juvenile death (15–17 year-old) it is the practice to invite the Youth Justice Board (YJB), social services and either the Chief Inspector of Prisons or the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman to advise the investigation. More generally I am considering whether from a future date the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman should provide independent scrutiny of all deaths in prison custody. Families may interact more readily with an independent investigator.
	The Prison Service, in conjunction with the Youth Justice Board, Social Services Inspectorate, the Chief Inspector of Prisons and Social Services has just completed a review of "safeguarding" arrangements within the Juvenile Estate. Safeguarding is an inclusive approach to the care of juveniles in custody and includes suicide prevention and self-harm management anti-bullying, child protection, anti-discrimination and an overall holistic approach to care in custody. This Child Protection and Safeguards Review also considered the role of other statutory agencies in light of the High Court judgement by Lord Justice Munby in November 2002, which judged that the Children's Act 1989 applies to children in custody. The results of the review, which will include considerations and recommendations at strategic and local levels to further improve the service which can offered to juveniles in custody, are to be published in the New Year, and a copy placed in the House Library.
	As you will be aware from my earlier Answer (133050 and 133052), the YJB has fully embraced the Prison Service safer custody strategy (which is applicable to all prisoners, regardless of gender and age). This strategy includes a series of inter-related projects to improve pre-reception, reception and induction arrangements; inter-agency information exchange; prisoner care; or the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman to advise the investigation. More generally I am considering whether
	from a future date the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman should provide independent scrutiny of all deaths in prison custody. Families may interact more readily with an independent investigator. The Prison Service, in conjunction with the Youth Justice Board, Social Services Inspectorate, the Chief Inspector of Prisons and Social Services has just completed a review of "safeguarding" arrangements within the Juvenile Estate. Safeguarding is an inclusive approach to the care of juveniles in custody and includes suicide prevention and self-harm management anti-bullying, child protection, anti-discrimination and an overall holistic approach to care in custody. This Child Protection and Safeguards Review also considered the role of other statutory agencies in light of the High Court judgement by Lord Justice Munby in November 2002, which judged that the Children's Act 1989 applies to children in custody. The results of the review, which will include considerations and recommendations at strategic and local levels to further improve the service which can offered to juveniles in custody, are to be published in the New Year, and a copy placed in the House Library.
	As you will be aware from my earlier Answer (133050 and 133052), the YJB has fully embraced the Prison Service safer custody strategy (which is applicable to all prisoners, regardless of gender and age). This strategy includes a series of inter-related projects to improve pre-reception, reception and induction arrangements; inter-agency information exchange; prisoner care; detoxification; prisoner peer support, and the learning from investigations into deaths in custody. There is also a programme piloted in six establishments, including Feltham young offender institution which holds young offenders and juveniles, which has invested £21.69 million over the three year programme from April 2001 on improvements to areas such as reception and induction.

Custody (Deaths)

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish a departmental investigation into each death in custody of a young person in prison in the past ten years.

Paul Goggins: I have no current plans further to review these deaths. More generally I am considering whether from a future date the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman should provide independent scrutiny of all deaths in prison custody.
	All deaths in prison custody are subject to a police investigation and a coroner's inquest before a jury. From August 1998 there has been a mandatory requirement for an internal investigation to be commissioned into all apparent self-inflicted deaths in custody or "non-natural" causes. A clinical audit is undertaken in respect of a natural causes death in custody. It is now the practice in respect of juvenile death (15–17 year olds) in prison to invite the Youth Justice Board and social services to participate in the investigation.

Custody Plus

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to implement Custody Plus, as outlined in the Criminal Justice Bill.

Paul Goggins: Final decisions about implementation have not been made.

Cyclists

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pedal cyclists were prosecuted for failure to stop at traffic signals in the most recent 12 month period for which data are available.

Paul Goggins: There were 38 pedal cyclists proceeded against in England and Wales in 2001 for the offence of neglect of traffic directions (which will include failing to stop at traffic signals).

David Blaine

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total cost was to (a) the Metropolitan Police and (b) the local authority of policing Mr.David Blaine's recent activities near Tower Bridge; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: I understand from the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis that the additional policing cost is currently estimated at £64,135. The final day's costs have still to be calculated. Over half the cost will be offset by income from a television company.
	Southwark Council have informed me that all their costs, for parking, cleaning etc. will be met by income from the television company.

Departmental Energy Use

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much (a) electricity and (b) other energy his Department has used in each year since 1997 (i) in total and (ii) per square metre; what the projected use is for each of the following years for which forecasts are made; what plans he has to reduce usage; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 3 November 2003, Official Report, columns. 403W, which answers the first part of the question.
	The Home Office is covered by the Government's target of reducing carbon emissions from buildings on the Government estate by 1 per cent. per annum. However, the prison service is anticipating that its energy consumption will rise over the next few years due to an increase in the prison population with a consequent increase in the size of the estate and the rollout of new IT systems throughout the prison service. They are also anticipating that increased education, training and other regime opportunities for prisoners and more intensive use of existing facilities will also cause consumption to rise.
	Although the prison service is anticipating a rise in total consumption for the reasons outlined above, they are aiming at reducing their consumption per inmate. They have set emission targets for each establishment using benchmarks. Efforts to improve energy efficiency are concentrated on those establishments with the worst benchmarked energy performance with a view to all establishments achieving the best practice benchmark.
	The core Department is currently planning a publicity campaign aimed at encouraging its office based staff to switch off lights, IT and office machinery when not in use. Environmental Management Systems are also being introduced across the estate and these will address issues such as energy efficiency. The new Home Office headquarters building includes a contractual requirement to achieve energy consumption at least 10 per cent. below the best practice benchmark for headquarters buildings in the Government's energy efficient best practice programme energy consumption guide.

Drug Addiction Treatment

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding is available for drug addiction treatment of (a) prisoners and (b) ex-prisoners in 2003–04; and what change has been recorded in reoffending rates for those who complete their treatment.

Paul Goggins: In 2003–04 £136,617,000 has been allocated to provide drug treatment for prisoners in England and Wales. It is not possible to differentiate between funding provided to treat ex-prisoners and others who access treatment in the community. The following table details the funding allocations for treating prisoners and those leaving custody. Research evidence shows that intensive drug treatment linked to good aftercare can result in reductions in reoffending of upto 11 per cent. compared with expected levels of offending.
	
		
			 Department Funding Usage 
		
		
			 Prison Service 118,117,000 Detox, Rehab, TCs(11), Short Programmes, CARATs(12) 
			 Department of Health 3,500,000 Improving Clinical Detoxification outcomes 
			 Home Office 5,000,000 CJIP Throughcare and Aftercare of prisoners(13) 
			 Youth Justice Board 10,000,000 ASSET(14), treatment, throughcare, aftercare 
			 Total 136,617,000  
		
	
	(11) Therapeutic Communities
	(12) Counselling, Assessment, Referral, Advice & Through-care services—a low-level intervention that provides gateway assessment, referral and support services to prisoners in custody, and establishes through-care links prior to and on release.
	(13) Relates to the 25 DATs included in the Criminal Justice Intervention Programme
	(14) ASSET: generic assessment tool call to identify the factors that contribute to a young persons offending.

Drugs

Gerry Steinberg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of (a) male and (b) female prisoners have been imprisoned for reoffending for drugs offences on more than three occasions in the last five years.

Paul Goggins: There is no information held centrally by the Home Office.

Female Rape

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors underlie the increase in female rape in the year leading up to March 2003.

Beverley Hughes: Sexual offences are significantly under-reported to the authorities. Police and Government action to support the victims of sexual assaults is likely to have increased the number of such incidents being brought to the attention of the police and therefore recorded by them. The introduction of the new National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) for all forces in April 2002 has further increased the recording rate because it requires the police to record all reported offences even if there is insufficient evidence to prosecute. Trends in the number of recorded sexual offences does not, therefore, necessarily reflect the real experience of such crimes. The Government are taking action on a variety of fronts to reduce the actual incidence of rape.

Football (Policing Costs)

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total cost was of policing football matches in the 2002–03 season; and how much of the total cost was paid by football clubs.

Hazel Blears: This information is not collected centrally by the Home Office.

Football (Policing Costs)

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the working group on policing at football matches to report; and if he will list the membership of the working group.

Hazel Blears: The working group set up to consider matters associated with the resources deployed, and cost of, policing football is still considering a range of complex issues. The group has met on a number of occasions but has not concluded its deliberations. It would be premature to speculate on the outcome but a final or interim report will be sought early next year.
	The group's core membership is Home Office, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Association of Chief Police Officers, Association of Police Authorities, Football Association, Football League, Premier League and Football Licensing Authority.

Football Matches (Policing)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total cost of policing football matches in the 2002–03 season was in Lancashire; and how much of the cost was paid for by football clubs.

Hazel Blears: This information is not collected centrally by the Home Office.

Foreign National Prisoners

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people held in Her Majesty's Prisons (a) are non-EU foreign nationals, (b) are seeking leave to remain in the United Kingdom and (c) have been a United Kingdom resident for less than 10 years.

Paul Goggins: At 30 April 2003, the population in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales who were known to be non-EU nationals was 4,513.
	Information on the number seeking leave to remain in the United Kingdom or the number who have been a United Kingdom resident for less than 10 years is not held centrally.

Frozen Assets (Charities)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total value is of the accounts frozen by the Charity Commission on the basis of possible links of these charities to terrorist organisations.

Fiona Mactaggart: This is a matter for the Charity Commission as the Department responsible for the regulation of charities in England and Wales. The Chief Charity Commissioner will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Information Technology

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the Prison Service spent on purchasing and upgrading IT equipment (a) in 2003 and (b) in 2002; and what this cost per prison employee.

Paul Goggins: The Prison Service entered into a contract with EDS in 2000 for the provision of a fully managed information technology and telephony service. Payment is based on the number of personal computers supported under the contract. The cost of the IT element only of the contract, together with the cost of non-IT activities, amounted to £32,094,111 in 2001–02 and £47,471,074 in 2002–2003. This is equivalent to £728 per average full time equivalent employee in 2001–2002 and £1,045 in 2002–2003.
	
		Staff Vacancies at Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (YOIs) at 30 June 2003(15)
		
			 Area Establishment Officers and Senior Operational Managers Others 
		
		
			 High Security Prisons Belmarsh 49 28 
			 East Midlands (South) Durham 6 - 
			  Frankland 30 16 
			  Full Sutton 49 - 
			  Long Lartin 25 2 
			  Manchester 14 27 
			  Wakefield 9 - 
			  Whitemoor 52 22 
			  Woodhill 23 22 
			 Juvenile Huntercombe 12 - 
			 Establishments Warren Hill 10 7 
			  Werrington 6 8 
			  Wetherby 4 1 
			 Women's Prisons and Askham Grange - 1 
			 YOIs Brockhill 1 5 
			  Buckley Hall 4 - 
			  Bullwood Hall 14  
			  Cookham Wood 6 - 
			  Downview 18 6 
			  Drake Hall 9 - 
			  East Sutton Park - - 
			  Eastwood Park 15 1 
			  Foston Hall 1  
			  Edmunds Hill 44 41 
			  Holloway 19 17 
			  Low Newton - - 
			  Morton Hall - 2 
			  New Hall -9 13 
			  Send 6 10 
			  Styal - 23 
			 East Midlands (North) Lincoln 11 - 
			  North Sea Camp 2 - 
			  Nottingham 8 - 
			  Ranby - - 
			  Sudbury 1 1 
			  Whatton 1 - 
			 East Midlands (North) Ashwell 1 9 
			  Gartree - - 
			  Glen Parva - - 
			  Leicester - - 
			  Onley 13 7 
			  Stocken 9 5 
			  Wellingborough 13 4 
			 Eastern Bedford 15 15 
			  Blundeston - - 
			  Chelmsford 4 6 
			  Highpoint - 18 
			  Hollesley Bay 1 1 
			  Littlehey 14 16 
			  Norwich 11 16 
			 Kent, Surrey and The Mount 11 6 
			 Sussex Wayland 2 5 
			  Blantyre House 1 - 
			  Canterbury - 3 
			  Coldingley - 4 
			  Dover 5 11 
			  Elmley - 5 
			  Ford 3 6 
			  High Down 18 10 
			  Lewes 5 19 
			  Maidstone 4 - 
			  Rochester 11 8 
			  Standford Hill 3 4 
			  Swaleside 12 - 
			 London Brixton 22 23 
			  Feltham 31 15 
			  Latchmere House 1 3 
			  Pentonville 11 27 
			  Wandsworth 31 8 
			  Wormwood Scrubs 43 30 
			 North East Acklington 3 - 
			  Castington 11 4 
			  Deerbolt - 7 
			  Holme House 3 - 
			  Kirklevington Grange - - 
			 North West Garth 16 - 
			  Haverigg 2 3 
			  Hindley 45 18 
			  Kirkham - 4 
			  Lancaster 9 - 
			  Lancaster Farms 35 - 
			  Liverpool 22 - 
			  Preston 15 - 
			  Risley - 11 
			  Thorn Cross 7 - 
			  Wymott 6 - 
			 South West Bristol 36 28 
			  Channings Wood - - 
			  Dartmoor 7 - 
			  Dorchester 13 3 
			  Erlestoke 16 3 
			  Exeter - 6 
			  Gloucester 10 2 
			  Guys Marsh 6 2 
			  Leyhill 8 - 
			  Portland - - 
			  Shepton Mallet - - 
			  The Verne 1 2 
			  Weare 4  
			 Thames Valley and Albany 14 - 
			 Hampshire Aylesbury 6 - 
			  Bullingdon 40 16 
			  Camp Hill 2  
			  Grendon 7 8 
			  Haslar 7 5 
			 Wales Kingston - 1 
			  Parkhurst 10 11 
			  Reading - 2 
			  Winchester 7 12 
			  Cardiff 7 13 
			  Swansea 3 - 
			  Usk/Prescoed 3 6 
			 West Midlands Birmingham 99 5 
			  Blakenhurst - - 
			  Brinsford 7 - 
			  Featherstone 2 2 
			  Hewell Grange 1 6 
			  Shrewsbury - - 
			  Stafford 2 - 
			  Stoke Heath 6 - 
			  Swinfen Hall - - 
			 Yorkshire and Everthorpe - - 
			 Humberside Hull 7 - 
			  Leeds 4 - 
			  Lindholme 5 - 
			  Moorland - - 
			  Northallerton - 1 
			  Wealstun 2 - 
			 
			 Total:  1,247 700 
		
	
	(15) Figures do not take into account new staff who were still in the recruitment process at 30 June 2003

Inner London Probation Service

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vacancies there are in the Inner London Probation Service; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of Vacancies(16) 
			 London Probation Area Vacancies as at 30 June(17) (FTE) 
		
		
			 Senior Probation Officers 4.00 
			 Senior Practitioners 0.00 
			 Probation Officers 0.00 
			 Trainee Probation Officers 0.00 
			 Probation Services Officers 160.00 
			 Psychologists 0.50 
			 Other Operational Staff 0.00 
			 Total Operational Staff 164.50 
			   
			 Deputy Chief Officers/Directors 0.00 
			 Assistant Chief Officers or Equivalent 2.00 
			 Area/District Managers or Equivalent 0.00 
			 Managers—Section or Function Heads 0.00 
			 Support Staff—Administration 0.00 
			 Support Staff—Others 0.00 
			 Other Specialist Workers 0.00 
			 Total Support Staff 2.00 
			 Total(18) 166.50 
		
	
	(16) Figures shown as a Full-time Equivalent (FTE)
	(17) Unable to obtain information from 3 (out of 42) Areas in time to make this response.
	(18) Figures exclude those employed within and by the National Probation Directorate
	Note
	The levels of vacancies across Area amount to 5.26 per cent. of the total workforce of the service. This is slightly below the national average of vacancies across the service of 5.43 per cent.

Lancashire Constabulary

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what central Government spending was on the Lancashire Constabulary in each year since 1992.

Hazel Blears: The information available is set out in the tables.
	
		
			  Government Grant(19) 
			  Thousands 
		
		
			 1992–93(20) N/a 
			 1993–94(20) N/a 
			 1994–95(20) N/A 
			 1995–96 136,337 
			 1996–97 143,926 
			 1997–98 146,860 
			 1998–99 153,628 
			 1999–2000 155,938 
			 2000–01 163,676 
			 2001–02(21) 172,966 
			 2002–03(21) 177,420 
			 2003–04 187,365 
		
	
	(19) Government Grant includes Home Office Police grant, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) Revenue Support Grant and national non domestic rates, Crime Fighting Fund, Rural Policing Grant, Basic Command Unit funding, Community Support Officer funding, DNA Expansion Programme, Street Crime Initiative and Special Priority payments.
	(20) Before 1995–96, when most Police Authorities became independent local authorities, revenue support grant and non-national domestic rates were paid as part of respective county council grant funding.
	(21) The grant figures for 2001–02 and 2002–03 are not directly comparable, as the National Crime Squad and the National Criminal Intelligence Service became centrally rather than locally funded from 2002–3. Based on the new arrangements, the comparable grant figure for 2001–02 would have been £168,818,571.
	In addition, Lancashire received the following funding in capital grant, including Airwave and the Premises Improvement Fund.
	
		
			  Thousands 
		
		
			 1995–96 4,148 
			 1996–97 2,730 
			 1997–98 2,208 
			 1998–99 2,414 
			 1999–2000 2,183 
			 2000–01 5,141 
			 2001–02 13,395 
			 2002–03 6,441 
			 2003–04 5,094

Leyhill Prison

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes have been made to the criteria for allocating inmates to HMP Leyhill; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 4 November 2003
	Leyhill prison is an open training prison. Sentenced prisoners may be assessed for categorisation and allocation to open conditions either on initial categorisation following sentencing or during their sentence following a review of their security category.
	Initial categorisation procedures consider: current offence, sentence length, previous offending, previous escapes or absconds and previous breaches of non-custodial disposals. For prisoners indicated for category D, consideration is also given to issues such as: current drug use: any previous breaches of bail; the circumstances of the offence and vulnerability to bullying or coercion.
	Prisoners have their security category reviewed at regular intervals. Prisoners must be able to demonstrate that their risk is reduced sufficiently to warrant recategorisation to conditions of lower security. Where category D is indicated, consideration is given to any other issues which might suggest that the prisoner is otherwise unsuitable for open conditions.
	Revised initial categorisation and recategorisation forms were introduced in April 2003 and their use is being monitored. However, the procedures detailed above remain unchanged. No changes have been made locally to the acceptance criteria at Leyhill prison.

Ministerial Visits

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the visits within the UK made by Ministers in his Department in each of the last five years, broken down by constituency.

Fiona Mactaggart: Detailed information for all Ministers in respect of UK travel is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are in the Library.

Mobile Phone Theft

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of reported street crime involved the theft of mobile phones in each of the London boroughs in 2002–03.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office does not centrally collect or collate national statistics on the numbers of mobile phone thefts as mobile phone theft is not a separate crime category. Mobile phone theft crime figures are included within the crime categories of robbery, snatch theft and theft from the person.
	Home Office Research ("Mobile Phone Theft", HORS 235) published in January 2002 estimated that mobile phones were stolen in 28 per cent. of all robberies in 2000–01. The Metropolitan Police Service estimate that around 50 per cent. of street crime in London involved the theft of a mobile phone.

National Probation Service

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many probation staff were in post on 30 June, broken down by grade; and how many vacancies there were in the National Probation Service on the same date.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is as follows.
	
		Number of staff in post and vacancies(22) -- England and Wales
		
			  Staff in post as at 30 June (FTE) Vacancies as at 30 June(23) (FTE) 
		
		
			 Senior Probation Officers 1,172.90 36.10 
			 Senior Practitioners 279.50 23.30 
			 Probation Officers 5,073.67 323.20 
			 Trainee Probation Officers 1,519.70 58.20 
			 Probation Services Officers 4,925.43 326.10 
			 Psychologists 34.00 0.50 
			 Other operational Staff 735.00 22.70 
			 Total Operational Staff 13,740.70 790.10 
			 Deputy Chief Officers/Directors 41.70 2.00 
			 Assistant Chief Officers or Equivalent 281.20 7.70 
			 Area/District Managers or Equivalent 93.50 0.60 
			 Managers—Section or Function Heads 374.90 10.90 
			 Support Staff—Administration 3,533.30 199.87 
			 Support Staff—Others 363.40 53.80 
			 Other Specialist Workers 194.30 4.70 
			 Total Support Staff 4,882.70 279.57 
			 Total(24) 18,623.40 1,069.67 
		
	
	(22) Figures shown as a Full-time Equivalent (FTE)
	(23) Unable to obtain information from 3 (out of 42) Areas in time to make this response.
	(24) Figures exclude those employed within and by the National Probation Directorate
	Note:
	The levels of vacancies across the National Probation Service (NPS) amount to 5.43 per cent. of the total workforce of the service.

National Probation Service

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons (a) joined and (b) left the National Probation Service for England and Wales in 2002–03, broken down by grade.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			 England and Wales Persons joining the National Probation Service Number of leavers and joiners(25) persons leaving the National Probation Service 
		
		
			 Deputy Chief Officers 4 3 
			 Assistant Chief Officers(26) 30 13 
			 Senior Probation Officers 43 78 
			 Probation Officers(27) 723 642 
			 All other staff 2,079 1,670 
			 Total 2,879 2,406 
		
	
	(25) Figures shown in Headcount
	(26) Includes area managers
	(27) Includes senior practitioners, trainee probation officers, temporary probation officers

National Probation Service

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which probation areas in England and Wales expect a budget deficit for the current financial year; and what staffing consequences he expects as a result.

Paul Goggins: The following probation areas in England and Wales are currently forecasting a budget deficit in excess of one per cent. of the budget allocation:
	Cumbria, Gloucestershire, Lancashire, Northamptonshire, Staffordshire, Surrey, Teesside, London and South Wales.
	The National Probation Directorate is currently in discussion with these areas and they are being asked to explain the reasons for the forecast budget deficits in order that action can be taken to reduce or eliminate the deficits.
	Other areas, which are currently forecasting a deficit below one per cent. of their budget allocation, will be expected to manage their operations in such a way that any deficit is avoided.
	Overall, the probation areas are expected to spend within budget.
	No staffing consequences are expected.

National Probation Service

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many trainee probation officers were appointed in each of the last five years; and how many left (a) less than 12 months after appointment, (b) between one and two years after appointment and (c) between two and three years after appointment.

Paul Goggins: In the last five years a total of 3,269 trainee probation officers have been appointed with a further 159 due to start in January 2004 as part of the 2003 recruitment process. This will make a total of 3,374.
	A total of 268 trainees were recruited in 1999; 282 in 2000; 931 in 2001; 780 in 2002; 1,113 will be the final total of the 2003 recruitment of which 954 have already commenced training.
	Of the 3,269 trainees who have so far commenced or completed the training a total of 125 (3.8 per cent.) left less than 12 months after appointment and 45 (1.4 per cent.) left between one and two years after appointment.
	Within the past five years a total of 1,481 trainees have completed the programme and become newly qualified officers: the most up to date information shows that of these 35 (2.4 per cent.) left the probation service between two and three years after appointment.

National Probation Service

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what resources he will provide to the National Probation Service to help it meet its obligations in the new sentencing plans under the Criminal Justice Bill.

Paul Goggins: Final decisions about both the timing of implementation of the sentencing measures in the Criminal Justice Bill, and the allocation of supporting financial provision to the National Probation Service (NPS) beyond the current financial year, have not yet been made.
	The major resource demand for the NPS will arise from the implementation of custody plus. The NPS has begun recruiting additional trainee probation officers to its two-year training programme. We have allocated £11.5 million in this financial year to support this capacity building.

New Prisons

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has obtained funds from the Treasury to enable him to commence the construction of new prisons.

Paul Goggins: The Treasury have provided funding to acquire at least two sites in 2004–05 for the future development of large multi-function prisons.
	A further 1,290 prison places will also be provided through the new prisons currently under construction at Ashford (near Heathrow) and at Peterborough.

Passport Charges

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, 
	(1)  when it was decided to change the date of the recent increase of passport charges;
	(2)  how many people have complained about the earlier than advertised rise in passport charges;
	(3)  Department how much he estimates will have been generated in extra revenue from the rise in passport charges on 2 October rather than 1 November.
	(4)  how many people he estimates have been affected by the earlier than advertised rise in passport charges.

Beverley Hughes: The new fees that became effective on 2 October 2003 were set by the Consular Fees Order 2003, a statutory instrument which was approved by the Privy Council on 17 July and approved by Parliament on 18 July 2003.
	Since the announcement was made, 774 complaints have been received at United Kingdom Passport Service (UKPS) Headquarters and the seven Regional Offices via telephone, fax, letter, e-mail and complaint forms submitted at our counters.
	The effect of implementing the rise in passport fees on 2 October as opposed to 1 November is estimated to be £2.6 million additional revenues.
	Unfortunately we have no data which enables us to determine how many people have been affected by the earlier than advertised rise in passport charges;
	Between 2 October 2003 and 2 November 2003, UKPS has issued 407,800 passports. The number of complaints received therefore represent approximately 0.189 per cent. of the total of all passports issued since the fee increase.

Persistent Offenders

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's initiatives for tackling persistent offenders.

Paul Goggins: The Persistent Offender Scheme came into effect in April 2003. It is an obligatory component of Local Criminal Justice Boards' action plans to increase the number of offences brought to justice, aimed at targeting a small group of prolific offenders who are responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime. Areas have devised their own premium service protocols which include elements of proactive policing, improved investigations and case management, priority court listings, and strategies for rehabilitation. As well as targeting core persistent offenders, who are over 18 and have been convicted of six or more recordable offences in the last year, as part of their wider crime reduction strategies areas are also using the scheme flexibly to target persistent offenders defined on the basis of local intelligence.
	The scheme is supported by an information system which is shared between criminal justice agencies, enabling persistent offenders to be tracked as their cases progress through the criminal justice system, and attrition points in the system to be identified and targeted for intervention.
	In addition, the Government have given the courts new secure remand and tagging powers for 12 to 16-year-olds who repeatedly offend on bail, funded the Youth Justice Board's intensive supervision and surveillance programmes for the most prolific young offenders and renewed its commitment to maintain the time from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders at or below 71 days.

Police

Archie Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police (a) constables, (b) sergeants and (c) inspectors transferred from the Kent Police Force to the Metropolitan Police Force in 2003–04.

Hazel Blears: I am told by the Acting Chief Constable Kent (Mr. Robert Ayling QPM) that, between April and November 2003, 26 constables and two sergeants transferred voluntarily from Kent Constabulary to the Metropolitan Police Service.

Police

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent by the police in each of the last three years on (a) stationery and (b) IT equipment.

Hazel Blears: The information is as follows:
	(a) Information on police authority stationery purchases is not held centrally.
	(b) Expenditure by police authorities on IT equipment is set out in the following table.
	
		Capital expenditure on information communication and technology(28) (England and Wales)
		
			  £000 
		
		
			 2001–02 87,655 
			 2002–03 241,358 
			 2003–04 203,826 
		
	
	(28) ICT expenditure includes expenditure on the Airwave communications system.Sources:
	2001–02 figures—CIPFA Police Statistics 2001–02 Actuals
	2002–03 figures—CIPFA Police Statistics 2002–03 Estimates
	2003–04 figures—CIPFA Police Statistics 2003–04 Estimates

Police

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will increase the budget for Surrey Police for financial year 2004–05.

Hazel Blears: I shall announce details of the provisional police funding settlement for 2004–05 later this month. It is for Surrey Police Authority to determine its budget for next year.

Police

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in each basic command unit of Avon and Somerset constabulary in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: Avon and Somerset Constabulary had 2,989 officers on 31 March 1997, which has increased by 315 to 3,304 in August this year, a record number.
	Information on police officer numbers for each Basic Command Unit (BCU) is only available for March 2002 and 2003 and is set out in the table.
	
		Avon and Somerset Constabulary—Number of officers allocated to Basic Command Units
		
			 Basic Command Unit March 2002 March 2003 
		
		
			 Bath and North-east Somerset 228 224 
			 Central Bristol 367 378 
			 North Bristol 263 255 
			 North Somerset 203 213 
			 Somerset East 255 257 
			 Somerset West 295 295 
			 South Bristol 251 251 
			 South Gloucester 265 263 
			 Total BCU Strength 2,127 2,136

Police

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what in-service death benefits are payable to members of the Police.

Hazel Blears: Death in-service benefits include a lump sum ranging from a death grant for all in-service deaths to a death gratuity for any death as a result of an injury in the execution of duty, where death occurs within one year of the injury. The lump sum death grant is twice the annual value of the officer's pensionable pay. The death grant will be the lesser of either five times the annual value of the officer's pensionable pay or four times his total remuneration during the last 12 months as an officer and his or her total pension contributions for that period.
	These lump sums are payable in addition to a widow or widower's pension and any other dependant's benefits where applicable. The surviving spouse's pension will range from half the officer's pension, had he or she been medically retired and not died in service, to a special award of 45 per cent. of the officer's average pensionable pay where death is as a result of an injury in the execution of duty. The special award will be augmented to 50 per cent. where death occurred in particular circumstances such as in the course of trying to save another's life.

Police

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve the performance of the police forces that have come bottom of the league tables.

Hazel Blears: The police performance monitors, which were published on 21 October 2003 are not league tables, but show performance across key areas of policing for each force in England and Wales, and show a comparison with similar forces.
	Our regular monitoring of police performance enables us to identify those forces whose performance needs to be improved. Her Majesty's Inspector Constabulary (HMIC) and the Police Standards Unit are currently working with a number of forces, whose performance is significantly below the average for their most similar forces, to help them address performance issues. This can involve assistance with performance management systems, improved use of forensics processes across a force, or more targeted assistance. This could take the form of the establishment of a policing priority area, or specific projects targeting an individual crime, such as burglary.

Police

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on (a) audio and (b) visual recording of police interviews.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) Section 60 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 provides for the mandatory (audio) tape recording of interviews of persons suspected of the commission of criminal offences. Code E of the Codes of Practice issued under the above mentioned Act dictates the procedures through which the police should carry out this task. It became mandatory to tape record interviews in police stations in England and Wales using the procedures outlined in Code E on 1 January 1992.
	The Terrorism Act 2000 makes separate provision for a Code of Practice for the tape recording of interviews of those arrested under Section 41 or detained under Schedule 7 of the Act.
	(b) A pilot has been undertaken in five police forces (Metropolitan, Essex, Hampshire, Kent and West Mercia) to test all aspects of visually recording suspects' interviews. The pilot started in May 2002, except in Essex who started in October 2002, and they all finished on 31 October 2003. A team of Evaluators, from London School of Economics (LSE) and the University of Kent, are preparing a report on the project but this will not be with the Home Office till the end of December. However, from 1 November 2003 visual recording may be undertaken on a discretionary basis and it is a matter for each force (including those not involved in the pilot) to decide which types of cases should be recorded in this way. Police officers have been told that regard should still be paid to Code F (Visual Recording of Suspect Interviews) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, when such interviews are undertaken.
	Guidance on conducting interviews with vulnerable or intimidated witnesses (VIWs) is set out in 'Achieving Best Evidence: Guidance for Vulnerable or Intimidated Witnesses, including Children'. This guidance is intended to assist those conducting video recorded interviews with VIWs as well as giving guidance to those who are tasked with preparing and supporting such witnesses throughout the criminal justice process. The document can be found at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/justice/legalprocess/witnesses/index .

Police

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in (a) England and (b) Nottinghamshire on (i) 1 April 1997, (ii) 1 April 2003 and (iii) 30 September 2003.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 3 November 2003
	On 31 August (latest date for which figures are available) there was record police strength in England of 126,949, an increase of 8,490 since March 1997. Nottinghamshire Constabulary also had record police strength of 2,468, an increase of 145 since March 1997.
	In England and Wales on 31 August there were 136,386 police officers, again a record.
	In England alone there was also 59,403 police (support) staff on 31 March 2003 (latest date available), an increase of 8,847 since 1997. In Nottinghamshire there was 1,180, an increase of 177 since March 1997. Additionally Nottinghamshire had 10 Community Support Officers (CSO) at the end of August with plans for 45 CSOs by March 2004.
	The table sets out the figures for the years requested.
	
		
			  England Nottinghamshire 
			  Police officer strength Police staff strength Police officer strength Police staff strength 
		
		
			 31 March 1997 118,459 50,556 2,323 1,003 
			 31 March 2003 124,158 59,403 2,41 1 1,180 
			 31 August 2003 126,949 n/a 2,468 n/a 
		
	
	n/a—not available

Police

Dan Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many police officers there were in (a) Avon and Somerset constabulary and (b) Bath and North East Somerset Basic Command Unit in (i) 1997, (ii) 2002 and (iii) 2003;
	(2)  how many burglaries there were in (a) Avon and Somerset constabulary and (b) Bath and North East Somerset Basic Command Unit in (i) 1997, (ii) 2002 and (iii) 2003;
	(3)  how many vehicle crimes there were in Avon and Somerset in (a) 1997, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003;
	(4)  how many robberies there were in Avon and Somerset in (a) 1997, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003;

Beverley Hughes: The available information is given in the tables.
	Number of police officers in Avon and Somerset Police Force Area (PFA) as at 31 March:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1997 (29)2,989 
			 2002 3,096 
			 2003 3,149 
		
	
	(29) Excludes staff on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave (comparable with previously published figures).
	Details on the number of police officers at Basic Command Unit (BCU) are not available centrally.
	Number of burglary offences recorded by the police:
	
		
			  1997 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			  Avon and Somerset PFA 
			 Total burglary 31,220 32,865 30,182 
			 Burglary in a dwelling 16,466 15,995 14,561 
			 Other burglary 14,754 16,870 15,621 
			 
			  Bath and North East Somerset BCU 
			 Burglary in a dwelling n/a 1,563 1,194 
		
	
	BCD data are available from the financial year 1999–2000, onwards. Details on the number of total burglary, and other burglary offences, at BCD are not available centrally.
	Number of vehicle crime 1 offences recorded by the police:
	
		Avon and Somerset PFA
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1997 41,715 
			 2001–02 40,791 
			 2002–03 36,249 
		
	
	(30) Vehicle crime is comprised of theft of a motor vehicle, and theft from a vehicle offences
	Number of robbery offences recorded by the police:
	
		Avon and Somerset PFA
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1997 1,562 
			 2001–02 4,889 
			 2002–03 3,504 
		
	
	There was a change of counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, which had the effect of increasing the number of crimes counted. Numbers of offences for years before and after this date are therefore not directly comparable.
	The National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) was introduced across England and Wales in April 2002. Some police forces adopted the standard prior to this date. Avon and Somerset police force introduced the standard in October 2000. Broadly, the NCRS had the effect of increasing the number of crimes recorded by the police. Therefore, following the introduction of the standard, numbers of recorded crimes are not comparable with previous years.

Police

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vehicles are owned and used by the police within the constituency of Romford.

Hazel Blears: The Commissioner of the Metropolis informs me that the information requested is not available for solely the constituency of Romford. In the borough of Havering, which covers Romford, the police service has a total of 31 vehicles.

Prisons

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the number of prisoners who share a cell designed for one person.

Paul Goggins: As at 30 September 2003, 22.5 per cent. of the prisoner population were sharing two to a cell designed for one. This Equates to 16,552 prisoners. The data are provisional and subject to validation by establishments.
	The Prison Service keeps the impact of population pressures—including overcrowding on prisoners in all prisons—under careful review. The Government's programme of building and refurbishment will increase the Prison Service's capacity to 78,700 by 2006, including the provision of around 3,000 additional places in existing prisons by 2006. In addition, a new unit opened recently at Birmingham prison, six months ahead of schedule, and this will offer a further 452 places.
	A further 1,290 places will be provided by the new prisons currently under construction at Ashford (near Heathrow) and Peterborough, scheduled to open in June 2004 and March 2005 respectively.
	The Government's programme of building and refurbishment will increase the Prison Service's capacity to 78,700 by 2006. A new unit opened recently at Birmingham prison, six months ahead of schedule, and this will offer 452 places. A further 1,290 places will be provided by the new prisons currently under construction at Ashford (near Heathrow) and Peterborough, scheduled to open in June 2004 and March 2005 respectively.

Prisons

Gerry Steinberg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were in (a) open and (b) closed prisons in each of the last five years, broken down by sex.

Paul Goggins: The information on the number of prisoners in open and closed prisons in each of the last five years, broken down by sex, is given in the table.
	
		
			  Total open Total closed 
		
		
			  Male prison population as at 30 June 
			 1999 3,801 57,521 
			 2000 3,719 58,120 
			 2001 3,490 59,200 
			 2002 4,026 62,798 
			 2003 4,496 64,566 
			  Female prison population as at 30 June 
			 1999 418 2,789 
			 2000 345 3,010 
			 2001 449 3,264 
			 2002 506 3,888 
			 2003 524 4,071

Prisons

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effect of the Prison Service's strategies to reduce suicides in reducing the number of self-inflicted deaths.

Paul Goggins: Reducing the rate of self-inflicted deaths in prison establishments is an essential part of the Prison Service's decency agenda and a priority for Ministers. The three-year safer custody strategy to develop policies and practices to reduce prisoner suicide and manage self-harm in prisons, implemented from April 2001, is currently under review. Account is being taken of emerging findings from practitioners and in-house and external researchers, and the views of a wide range of practitioners and external interests. I will be announcing the results of this work and next steps in spring 2004.
	A team from the University of Cambridge is measuring the impact of the Safer Locals Programme (essentially in six pilot establishments) on the quality of prison life, and investigating possible links between these measures and rates of suicide and self-harm. Interim results indicate that the focus of the strategy on the early period in custody, on local prisons, on high-risk prisoners with mental health and drug problems in particular, are the right ones.
	A team from Manchester and London Universities is also evaluating elements of the Safer Locals Programme, particularly a workstream called the Care of At-Risk Prisoners project, health care provision, and detoxification services. Additionally, researchers from the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science were commissioned to evaluate the impact of safer cells on suicide and self-harm. The evaluation included observations, interviews and focus groups with prisoners and staff in six prisons. The report, presented in August 2003, concluded that the safer cells programme has much to commend it and recommended that the programme continue.

Prisons

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of reasons other than overcrowding for the suicide rate in prisons.

Paul Goggins: The rate of self-inflicted deaths in prisons was 147.4 per 100,000 prisoners (at the end of 2002–03). This high rate appears to be mainly a product of two factors: greater throughput of prisoners at a time of population increase and greater (but not easily quantifiable) numbers of prisoners in high risk categories. The effects of overcrowding and throughput include more prisoners being located further from home, thereby affecting their access to familial/social support; prisons handling large and variable numbers of prisoners, often arriving late in the day, which reduces the time staff can spend with individual prisoners on care and risk assessment; and an increase in the length of time prisoners are locked in their cells, rather than engaged in purposeful activity.
	Emerging research from the evaluation of the Prison Service's safer custody strategy suggests that the suicide rate in an establishment may correlate with levels of psychological distress. This distress is affected by prisoners' perceptions of safety, their experiences of entering custody and their level of psychological, emotional and physical well-being upon entry to the establishment.
	The general prison population contains a very large number of prisoners who, when they enter custody, are struggling to cope with a wide range of difficult issues, including drug and/or alcohol abuse, family background and relationship problems, social disadvantage or isolation, previous sexual or physical abuse, and mental health problems. Studies suggest that 90 per cent. of all prisoners have shown evidence of at least one of the following: personality disorder, psychosis, neurosis, alcohol misuse and drug dependence. These factors increase their likelihood of self-harm. It has been found that 27 per cent. of men and 44 per cent. of women on remand report having attempted suicide in their lifetime.

Prisons

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated expenditure for the (a) prison and (b) probation services will be for financial year 2004–05.

Paul Goggins: The budgets for 2004–05 have not yet been finalised. Table two and three in section 6 of the Home Office Annual Departmental Report 2003 provide details of the Home Office resource and capital spending plans, which include figures for both the prison and probation services in 2004–05.

Prisons

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were held in the north west in each year since 1992.

Paul Goggins: The population held in Prison Service establishments in the north west region from 1992 to 2003 is given in the following table.
	
		Total prison population, north west region, as at 30 June
		
			  Number of prisoners 
		
		
			 1992 5,397 
			 1993 5,960 
			 1994 6,329 
			 1995 6,701 
			 1996 7,707 
			 1997 8,805 
			 1998 9,469 
			 1999 9,080 
			 2000 9,586 
			 2001 9,835 
			 2002 10,810 
			 2003 11,184 
		
	
	Prison Service establishments in the north west region are:
	Altcourse
	Forest Bank
	Liverpool
	Manchester
	Buckley Hall
	Risley
	Hindley
	Thorn Cross
	Lancaster Farms
	Preston
	Garth
	Haverigg
	Wymott
	Kirkham
	Lancaster
	Styal

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statutory investigatory powers the Department has; which ones will be superseded by use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; and what plans he has for removing these legacy powers.

Beverley Hughes: Immigration officers have powers of arrest and search under the Immigration Act 1971 as amended by Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. These powers will not be superseded by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) which provides for the regulated use by public authorities of specific investigatory powers including the acquisition of communications data (disclosure of information about communications). Subject to approval by Parliament of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) Order 2003 the Immigration Service will use RIPA to acquire communications data.

Riot (Damages) Act

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what payments were made to each police authority in each year since 1997 under the Riot (Damages) Act 1886.

Hazel Blears: Liability for payments under the Riot (Damages) Act 1886 (RDA) rests with police authorities. Police authorities normally pay claims made under the RDA from within their existing resources. Police authorities may request special grant from the Home Office to help meet the cost of payments made under the RDA. There have been no payments of special grant for this purpose since 1997.
	Information about the settlement by police authorities of claims made under the RDA has not been regularly collected centrally. The 'Consultation Document on Options for the Review of the RDA', which was published in July, estimated that £928,000 had been paid by police authorities since 1995. This is not a comprehensive figure as some RDA claims are still under negotiation by police authorities.
	Further details of claims settled since 1995 are set out in Annex A to the Consultation Document, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

Road Safety

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there have been of people using a mobile telephone while driving in each year since 1997.

Paul Goggins: Currently there is no specific offence of driving a motor vehicle while using a mobile telephone. Such conduct may however amount or contribute to another offence. In the main prosecutions and convictions in such circumstances are likely to be for driving without due care and attention or not being in proper control of a vehicle.
	From 1 December 2003 the specific offence of driving while using a hand-held mobile telephone will be introduced under a new regulation to be added to the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.

Romford Police Station

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many police officers are based at Romford police station;
	(2)  how many administrative workers are employed by the Metropolitan Police within the constituency of Romford.

Hazel Blears: Romford is part of the borough of Havering. I am told by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (Sir John Stevens) that at the end of August Havering had 353 police officers and 74 police (support) staff.
	The deployment of police personnel within the borough is an operational matter for the Borough Commander. Information about the number of officers and police staff deployed at Romford police station or the Romford constituency is not collected centrally. Deployment of resources will reflect operational pressures across the borough.

Rural Policing

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on rural policing in (a) North Yorkshire and (b) New Earswick.

Hazel Blears: We need effective policing arrangements in all areas, urban and rural. The annual £30 million Rural Policing Fund has been specifically provided to increase the visibility and accessibility of police in rural areas. North Yorkshire Police receive over £2 million or 6.7 per cent. of the fund. I understand that this has been used to fund 60 additional officers as well as additional scenes of crime staff and support staff. North Yorkshire now has 37 Community Support Officers who patrol across the force area. They help to tackle low-level crime, public disorder and to provide public reassurance in both urban and rural communities.
	The policing of New Earswick is a matter for the Chief Constable. The force have drawn valuable lessons from a recent report evaluating a community policing initiative in New Earswick (Great Expectations: Contracted community policing in New Earswick).

Sentencing Guidelines Council

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers he has to give directions to the Sentencing Guidelines Council.

Paul Goggins: Subject to the successful passage of the relevant provisions in the Criminal Justice Bill, the Home Secretary of State will have the power, at any time, to propose to the Council that sentencing or allocation guidelines be framed or revised by the Council.

Special Branch

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Special Branch constables were employed by Humberside police on 1 September in each of the last three years.

Hazel Blears: It is not our policy to disclose details of Special Branch deployments at force level in the interests of national security, as to do so could compromise operations.

Special Constables

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables there are in England and Wales.

Hazel Blears: The latest police service strength figures for the year ending 31 March 2003 were published on 1 October 2003 in Home Office Statistical Bulletin 11/03. The number of special constables in England and Wales was 11,037.

Special Constables

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables there were in London in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: The number of special constables in the Metropolitan Police Service and the City of London Special Constabularies since 1997 are set out as follows:
	
		
			 31 March Metropolitan Police Service City ofLondon Total for both London Forces 
		
		
			 1997 1,714 86 1,800 
			 1998 1,282 76 1,358 
			 1999 1,138 64 1,202 
			 2000 758 56 814 
			 2001 774 43 817 
			 2002 680 36 716 
			 2003 692 42 734 
		
	
	We are working with stakeholders to increase the size and effectiveness of the Special Constabulary. In particular, we are rolling out Home Office/Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) 'Good Practice Guidance'; we are also arranging a second national specials weekend to help raise the profile of specials and the invaluable work they do; and we are assisting forces to boost their capacity to recruit and manage specials effectively.

Staff Turnover

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on the turnover rate among senior staff within the Department.

Fiona Mactaggart: Senior positions in the Home Office are filled through either open competition or internal promotion boards. The Department's policy is to attract, develop and retain good senior staff. That increasingly means providing development opportunities for senior staff within and outside Whitehall. This will increase the turnover of such staff but the overall impact of this policy on the Department's business will be overwhelmingly positive.

Thames Valley Police

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans his Department has to provide funding for Thames Valley Police Force to boost retention and recruitment including (a) the offer of free travel and (b) to reduce the pay differential between that force and the Metropolitan Police Force.

Hazel Blears: Government policy is to support the recruitment and retention of public servants in the South East through the Communities Plan announced by my right hon. friend the Deputy Prime Minister (John Prescott) on 21 October, with generous provisions for key worker housing.
	Free travel is a matter for the Thames Valley Police Authority.
	There are no plans to change the system of regional allowances for officers in the South East and London.

Television Licence/Motor Insurance

Bill Etherington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many successful prosecutions there were of people resident in (a) Sunderland and (b) Tyne and Wear for (i) non-payment of the television licence fee and (ii) driving without motor insurance in each year since 2000; and what penalties were handed out in each case.

Paul Goggins: The available information is contained in the table.
	Statistics for 2002 will be published in December.
	
		Number of persons(31) proceeded against at magistrates courts, found guilty and sentenced at all courts for television licence evasion and using motor vehicle uninsured against third party risks, Tyne and Wear, 2000 and 2001
		
			  Year Proceeded against Found guilty 
		
		
			  Offences under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts 1949 to 1967 (mainly television licence evasion) 
			 Tyne and Wear 2000 5,358 4,672 
			  2001 6,581 5,766 
			 Of which, Sunderland 2000 847 753 
			  2001 1,124 1,002 
			 
			  Using motor vehicle uninsured against third party risks(Road Traffic Act 1988, sec 143(2))  
			 Tyne and Wear 2000 6,397 4,931 
			  2001 5,958 4,608 
			 Of which, Sunderland 2000 1,272 1,003 
			  2001 1,103 873 
		
	
	
		
			  Year Absolute/conditional discharge Fine Community sentence Fully suspended sentence Immediate custody Otherwise dealt with 
		
		
			  Offences under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts 1949 to 1967 (mainly television licence evasion) 
			 Tyne and Wear 2000 138 4,534 — — — — 
			  2001 90 5,676 — — — — 
			 Of which, Sunderland 2000 19 734 — — — — 
			  2001 16 986 — — — — 
			 
			  Using motor vehicle uninsured against third party risks (Road Traffic Act 1988, sec 143(2))  
			 Tyne and Wear 2000 441 4,336 30 — — 124 
			  2001 461 4,027 38 — — 82 
			 Of which, Sunderland 2000 90 854 5 — — 54 
			  2001 86 757 2 — — 28 
		
	
	(31) These data are on the principal offence basis

Wine

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total holding of wine of the Department is; and what the total value is.

Fiona Mactaggart: Ministers and the Permanent Secretary maintain drinks cupboards for official hospitality only. There is no other holding of wine in the Department.

Witness Intimidation

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to ensure that witnesses to crime are able to give evidence without fear of intimidation.

Paul Goggins: The Government recognise that the intimidation of witnesses is an important issue that needs to be addressed. Witness intimidation in criminal proceedings is an offence under section 51 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 and intimidation in civil proceedings is an offence under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. The Home Office has advised the police to take immediate action against offenders in cases of intimidation or harassment of witnesses.
	The Government published "Tackling Witness Intimidation—An Outline Strategy" on 15 May 2003. It was issued to all Local Criminal Justice Boards and Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships and is available on Criminal Justice System online. A copy has been placed in the Library.
	The police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the judiciary have all received specialist training to help them be more responsive to the needs of intimidated witnesses. The guidance on anti-social behaviour orders stresses the importance of offering support to witnesses and victims when applications for such orders are made.
	There needs to be adequate protection for witnesses in the courtroom to ensure that they can give their best evidence. Most courts now have separate waiting rooms for witnesses, reducing the possibility of their coming into contact with the defendant, or those closely acquainted with him or her, and thus reducing the risk of intimidation. Increased funding for Victim Support has enabled its Witness Service to be extended to all Crown court centres and magistrates courts in England and Wales. This means that there should always be someone at court to support witnesses who may feel intimidated or worried.
	The Government have also introduced a range of special measures to assist intimidated witnesses to give their evidence in court, including the use of TV links, screens around the witness box and clearing the public gallery so that evidence can be given in private. The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 provides the legislative framework for these measures and a phased implementation programme began on 24 July 2002.
	In exceptional cases, where there are real and substantial grounds for fear and the Crown would not be able to proceed without the witness's evidence, the judge may allow the identity of a credible witness to be concealed entirely from the defendant. In taking this decision, the court must balance the need for protection of the witness against the risk of unfairness to the defendant and must satisfy itself that the interests of the accused would not be unduly prejudiced.
	These court-based measures are complemented by community-based measures, ensuring that support is available to witnesses where they live. Co-ordinated action by a number of agencies, for example in carrying out an initial risk assessment of a witnesses' vulnerability to intimidation, is key.
	The Government, in conjunction with the Housing Corporation and the Mayor of London, are today launching a scheme which will give intimidated witnesses the option of fast track relocation within the social housing sector. The Government recognise that, while the aim should be that perpetrators of crime and anti-social behaviour should be those who are moved, there will be instances where the risk to the witness is so great that this option needs to be available.

Young Offenders

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the most recent two-year reoffending rate was for offenders leaving young offender institutions.

Paul Goggins: Reconviction is used as a proxy measure for reoffending. The latest two-year 'un-adjusted' reconviction rates for young offenders discharged from custody was 73 per cent., for those released in 1998. The rates in the preceding years were 71 per cent., 70 per cent., 71 per cent., 72 per cent., 72 per cent., 71 per cent., 74 per cent., 75 per cent., 76 per cent., 75 per cent. and 75 per cent. between 1987 and 1997 respectively. These rates are published in "Prison Statistics—England and Wales 2001".

Young Offenders

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young offenders from North Wales below the age of 15 years who were sentenced to custody were not immediately placed in a local authority secure community home in the last three years for which figures are available.

Paul Goggins: The Youth Justice Board is responsible for the commissioning and purchasing of secure accommodation for under 18s and for the placement of individual offenders.
	In the three years to 31 October 2003, all sentenced young offenders of under 15 years of age were immediately placed either in a local authority secure children's home or in a secure training centre.

Young Offenders

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department where young offenders below the age of 15 from North Wales are placed if sentenced to custody and no local authority community home place is available.

Paul Goggins: The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales is responsible for the commissioning and purchasing of secure accommodation for under 18s and for the placement of individual offenders in the juvenile secure estate. Where no place is available in a local authority secure children's home, a sentenced young offender from England or Wales below the age of 15 is placed in any of the three Secure Training Centres—Rainsbrook, Medway or Hassockfield.

Young Offenders

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons are detained in young offenders' institutions claiming to be aged between 15 to 17-years-old whose age has not been independently verified; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The courts are responsible for establishing the ages of young people who appear before them. Custodial establishments do not repeat the checks courts make. We are not aware of any sentences inappropriate to a person's age having been passed; if such a case was found it would be referred to the court.

Young Offenders

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many under 18s were in gaol in each year since 1997; and how many were in youth detention centres and other correctional establishments.

Paul Goggins: The information on the number of under 18s who were in Prison Service establishments, Local Authority Secure Children's Homes and Secure Training Centres is given in the table.
	
		Under 18s in custody—England and Wales
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Prison Service establishments 2,480 2,465 2,420 2,435 2,435 2,605 2,290 
			 Local Authority Secure Children's Homes LASCHs 110 125 125 220 295 300 310 
			 Secure Training Centres (STCs) n/a n/a n/a 115 115 120 190 
		
	
	Source
	Data for Prison Service establishments is as at end June, apart from the figure for 2003 which is as at end April. Data for LASCH is from DfES and is as at end March. Data for Secure Training Centres is from the Youth Justice Board and is as at end April. Figures for 1997,1998 and 1999 are not held centrally. All numbers are rounded to the nearest 5.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Domestic Violence

Mike Hancock: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment the Government has made of whether to develop a systematic mandatory training scheme on domestic violence for (a) judges and magistrates, (b) expert witnesses, (c) CAFCASS and (d) police officers; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: The information is as follows:
	Judges and Magistrates
	My Department continues to work closely with the Judicial Studies Board (JSB) to develop training for judges and magistrates that takes account of the growing body of knowledge about domestic violence.
	All judges on first appointment to part-time judicial office and all judges newly authorised to hear family cases are required to attend a relevant JSB residential induction seminar. Both full-time and part-time judges attend residential continuation seminars every three years in each jurisdiction they exercise. All induction and continuation seminars include discussion of domestic violence issues. Family law induction and continuation seminars include such issues in virtually every session within the seminar programmes.
	Many judges in addition attend locally organised seminars. In 2002 the topic for the one-day Circuit Criminal Seminars, which are attended by all full and part-time judges sitting in the Crown court, was Domestic Violence.
	The training of Magistrates is the statutory responsibility of individual Magistrates courts committees. Recently, the JSB in conjunction with the Magistrates Association produced a training package for magistrates, specifically on domestic violence. The objectives for the pack are that by the end of the course delegates will: be able to define domestic violence; recognise when domestic violence features in a case; and describe how that recognition of domestic violence will impact on the conduct and disposal of a case and the treatment of any vulnerable individuals involved.
	The programme of training for trainers began at the end of October. Magistrates courts committees will be encouraged to train their magistrates and legal advisers as soon as possible.
	Expert Witnesses
	The Home Office supports, and part funds, the work of the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners (CRFP). The CRFP has rigorous procedures to ensure those persons admitted to the register have appropriate training, experience and expertise to act as experts. Currently there is no training, or requirement for training, in domestic violence involved in CRFP registration as it is not of direct relevance to the majority of registered practitioners.
	CAFCASS
	CAFCASS's training programme for Family Court Advisors includes a module on domestic violence. This will be put into operation for the first time in November and December 2003. CAFCASS is also currently developing a policy on domestic violence, which will include guidance and procedures for staff. This will be available in 2004 and CAFCASS will review staff training needs with regard to the finalised policy.
	Police
	The Centrex 'Policing Responses to Domestic Violence' modular training programme was launched in 2002 and has been substantially developed and updated. The training programme was distributed to police force training managers and nominated domestic violence officers in August 2003. The Policing Responses to Domestic Violence E-learning material CD-Rom was launched in March 2003.
	We will continue to identify and respond, as a matter of priority, to the needs of those suffering from domestic violence.

Cleveland Coroner

Vera Baird: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs when the Department expects to announce the outcome of the inquiry into the conduct of the Cleveland Coroner.

Christopher Leslie: holding answer 4 November 2003
	His Honour Judge Milford QC, who is conducting the investigation into Coroner Sheffield's conduct, has informed the Department for Constitutional Affairs that he expects to submit his report by the end of November 2003. My noble Friend the Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor will wish to give the report his detailed consideration.
	While my noble Friend will be keen to bring this matter to as swift a conclusion as possible, it is not possible to set a timetable for announcing the outcome at this stage.

Court Buildings

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make a statement on the future of the court buildings in (a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley.

Christopher Leslie: In Lancashire, as elsewhere, it is our intention to make better use of the joint estate (Court Service and Magistrates' Court Service). Where county court operations can be moved from unsatisfactory buildings into more modern magistrates courts they will be, so improving facilities for users and making efficiency savings. It is too early to say specifically where in Lancashire this will happen until feasibility studies have been completed but Chorley may be affected. The Lancashire Magistrates' Courts Committee has no plans to close any of the courts for which it is responsible.
	A new court complex is being considered for Blackpool to house the county court and possibly the Magistrates' Court. The current buildings have inadequate facilities, are in poor condition and Blackpool County Court could benefit from additional court rooms.
	The current buildings that house Blackburn County Court and Blackburn Magistrates' Court are recognised to be outdated. There are proposals to provide a new building in Blackburn to house both courts.

Fatal Accidents

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans he has to change the level of damages payable for bereavement in fatal accident claims; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: The level of bereavement damages was increased from £7,500 to £10,000 with effect from 1 April 2002. The Government are currently considering how best to provide for further changes in future.

HEALTH

Residential Care

John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether self-funded residents in care homes whose income is above the maximum amount that qualifies for pension credit will receive a flat rate of savings credit.

Stephen Ladyman: Self-funders in care homes do not receive any savings disregard. The savings disregard only applies to council supported residents. Self funders in care homes would receive the exact level of pension credit to which they were entitled.

Age-related Macular Degeneration

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the United Kingdom have been diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration in the last 12 months.

Rosie Winterton: Information on the number of people with age related macular degeneration is not collected centrally. However, a study sponsored by the Macular Disease Society in 2001 estimated that there were 182,000 people with age related macular degeneration with a best eye visual acuity below that judged appropriate for certification as blind or partially sighted.

Ambulance Services

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the most recent ambulance response times within the constituency of Romford are; and what the figures are for (a) nearby population centres in Essex and (b) other London boroughs.

John Hutton: Information on response times is collected on a national health service trust basis. A copy is available in the Library and at http://www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0313.pdf.

Angiogram Patients

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what differences there are in the guidance for admission of angiogram patients in cases where the patient is (a) already hospitalised and (b) not hospitalised.

Melanie Johnson: Patients that are hospitalised are likely to be prioritised for angiography for a range of clinical reasons. Most commonly, they will be experiencing severe or recurrent pain or they may have suffered some myocardial damage already. We would expect each hospital to have local protocols in place for managing such patients.

Arthritis

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Answer of 8 September 2003, Official Report, column 163W, how much funding has been allocated for the period (a) 2003–04 and (b) 2005–06 to primary care trusts for the implementation of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines on TNFa therapy.

John Hutton: The funding made available in primary care trust allocations for 2003–04 to 2005–06 to meet recommendations of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence was not separately identified.

Asperger's Syndrome

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many current residents at secure mental hospitals have been assessed as having Asperger's syndrome.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 6 November 2003
	Information about the number of current residents in secure mental hospitals who have been assessed as having Asperger's syndrome is not available. However, in 1999 the National Autistic Society published the results of a study of 1,305 residents of the three special (now high security) hospitals in England, which was funded by the Department through the Section 64 scheme of grants to voluntary organizations. This identified that there were then 31 people with an autistic spectrum disorder, of whom 21 had Asperger's syndrome.

Asperger's Syndrome

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will hold an inquiry into the misdiagnosis and mistaken treatment of patients in secure mental hospitals who have Asperger's syndrome.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 6 November 2003
	We have no plans to commission an inquiry into services for people with Asperger's syndrome in secure hospitals. However, services for people who have Apserger's syndrome have been included in the specialised services national definition set (SSNDS), with a view to improving the collaborative commissioning arrangements necessary to provide them with a seamless service. Inclusion in the SSNDS provides a basis for service reviews and strategic planning and enables commissioners to establish a broad base-line position and make initial comparisons on activity and spend.

Breast Feeding

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made towards achieving national targets on breast feeding.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 22 October 2003
	Through the NHS Priorities and Planning Framework 2003–06, a target has been set to increase breast feeding initiation rates by two percentage points per year focusing especially on women from disadvantaged groups.
	Figures are not yet available but are being collected from primary care trusts in 2003 to provide a baseline for monitoring future performance.

Breast Feeding

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress with the target to increase breast feeding, with particular reference to the target for women from disadvantaged groups.

Melanie Johnson: I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole (Mrs. Brooke) today.

Care Homes

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many care home places were available in Sussex in each of the last six years, broken down by (a) local authority run, (b) independent private and (c) independent charity and other not for profit organisation.

Stephen Ladyman: The table shows the number of care home places by type of accommodation available in Sussex as at 31 March for the years 1998 to 2001.
	Figures for later years have been collected by the National Care Standards Commission but comparable details broken down by local authority are not available.
	
		Table: Number of care home places in Sussex(32) by type of accommodation, 31 March 1998 to 2001 -- Rounded Data
		
			  Residential homes Nursing homes 
			  Local authority Private Voluntary Small(33) Independent 
		
		
			 Sussex  
			 2001 1,500 11,605 3,645 775 8,310 
			 2000 1,520 12,770 3,175 785 8,705 
			 1999 1,605 13,030 3,140 815 8,945 
			 1998 1,840 12,700 3,485 790 9,235 
		
	
	(32) Brighton and Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex local authorities and East Sussex and West Sussex health authorities
	(33) Independent registered care homes with less than four places
	Source:
	RA and RH(N) form A

Children's Homes

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children's homes in England are (a) open and (b) closed and which are under investigation for possible child abuse.

Margaret Hodge: I have been asked to reply
	As of 30 September 2003, there are 1,141 children's homes registered with the National Care Standards Commission and an additional 920 applications to register are being processed. 57 children's homes have been de-registered.
	Information is not collected centrally on the number of children's homes in England that are under investigation for possible child abuse.

Dentistry

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to promote dental health among children.

Rosie Winterton: In England, primary care trusts are responsible for oral health promotion and currently they attach particular importance to ensuring that oral health is covered in initiatives like Sure Start, health action zones and healthy living centres.
	In August 2001, to complement this work, we launched our "Brushing for Life" scheme which targets families with young children in the 31 areas where dental decay is highest. There are currently 32 schemes running nationally. When carrying out developmental checks, health visitors demonstrate good tooth brushing practice and give the families a free pack containing a tube of fluoridated toothpaste, a toothbrush and a leaflet on oral hygiene. In 2003, the "Brushing for Life" scheme has been extended to Sure Start schemes in order to ensure more parents are given the opportunity to improve the oral health of their children, particularly in more deprived areas of the country.

Diabetes

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent by his Department on research into diabetes in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has consistently supported research into diabetes but has not in the past collected information on its total expenditure in this field. The greater part of the funding meets the service costs to the national health service of research funded by research councils and charities, including Diabetes UK. This funding was identified for the first time from the NHS trust annual research and development reports for 2001–02, and the Department's total spend on diabetes research in that year has been estimated as £14.1 million.
	Available estimates of Medical Research Council spend on diabetes research are shown in the table.
	
		£ million
		
			  Amount 
		
		
			 1999–2000 6.5 
			 2000–01 8.6 
			 2001–02 8.9

Diabetes

Judy Mallaber: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 29 October, Official Report, column. 234W, on diabetes, which companies have confirmed that they will continue to supply animal insulin for diabetics; and what written commitments they have made.

Rosie Winterton: Novo Nordisk and CP Pharmaceuticals market animal insulins. Novo Nordisk informed the Department that they would be continuing to supply animal insulins to the United Kingdom market for the foreseeable future. CP Pharmaceuticals issued a press release in July this year confirming that they would be continuing to supply animal insulins. Both companies have recently confirmed that their position remains unchanged.

Diet

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government is taking with regard to the adulteration of processing food with fats and sugars.

Melanie Johnson: There is NHS Plan (2000) commitment to work with industry to improve the overall balance of the diet, including salt, fat and sugar in food. The Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency are in discussions with the food industry on reducing the level of salt in processed foods and work on added sugars and fat will follow through 2003–04.
	There is wider on-going action to help address the overall balance of the diet. The Department is leading the development of a comprehensive Food and Health Action Plan, working across Government and with the food industry to establish a coherent and effective programme of activities on nutrition in order to achieve a healthier diet for people in England. The plan will pull together all of the issues that influence what we eat and will address:
	production—including the manufacture and preparation of food which contribute most to a healthy diet
	supply—including access to healthier food
	information for consumers about healthy eating and nutrition.

Disabled People (Financial Assistance)

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much has been allocated to the Families Fund since 1997; what the average grant to a family with a disabled adult or child was in the last 12 months; and by how much this has risen since 1997;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the Families Fund; how it has helped disabled people and their families; and what the grants are most commonly used for.

Margaret Hodge: I have been asked to reply.
	The Family Fund was set up by the Government in 1973 to give practical help to families with severely disabled and seriously ill children under the age of 16. Since 1998 the charity has received separate funds from the Governments of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Taking these together, the following amounts have been allocated to the Family Fund:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 1997 21.7 
			 1998 22.0 
			 1999 23.2 
			 2000 24.2 
			 2001 25.4 
			 2002 26.5 
			 2003 27.8 
		
	
	The FF uses these funds to provides grants direct to families for items which the statutory sector does not provide. The most popular types of grants are for: holidays or leisure facilities so everyone in the family can have a break; bedding and clothing to cover the expense of wear and tear because of the child's disability; additional hospital visiting costs; play equipment if this is related to the child's special needs; washing machines and other 'white goods' that provide practical help to ease the physical burden of carers for disabled children.
	90 per cent. of the funds go direct to families. All administrative and other costs are met from the remaining 10 per cent. The average grant made to a family in 1997 was £466.00. The average grant made to a family in 2003 was £560.00. This represents an average increase of 20.17 per cent. since 1997. The Family Fund has been evaluated as "providing a good level of value for money" (Secta report 1999). In 2002–03 The Family Fund supported 44,800 families. Through the use of a network of visiting advisers The Family Fund are able to respond flexibly and imaginatively to the different needs of each family. Over the last 30 years they have helped improve the quality of life for tens of thousands of severely disabled children and their families.

EU Directive 2001/20/EC

John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the additional cost to the Medical Research Council of implementing EU Directive 2001/20/EC;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the impact of EU Directive 2001/20/EC on the non-profit-making sector.

Rosie Winterton: As part of the consultation on the draft United Kingdom regulations, a partial regulatory impact assessment (RIA) was provided and universities, national health service trusts and charities were invited to submit estimates on recurring and non-recurring compliance costs for non-commercial trials. The comments received will be taken into account in preparing the final legislation and the final RIA.
	In another initiative designed to reduce the impact, the Department and the Medical Research Council have announced a joint project to work with experts to find practical solutions to the issues identified in the impact assessment. Details of the project can be found on www.ncchta.org/eudirective/index.asp. Furthermore, the Government have taken steps to attempt to influence the Commission in its consideration of a Commission Directive on good clinical practice and also in reviewing guidance that the Commission published earlier this year with a view to avoiding any unnecessary costs.
	Further information on the partial RIA and the proposed UK implementing regulations is available at http://medicines.mhra.gov.uk/inforesources/publications/mlxpub.htm.

Fluoridation

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his plans to add fluoride to water.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 23 October 2003
	The Government has no plans to add fluoride to the water supply on a national basis. Clause 61 of the Water Bill, if enacted, will enable strategic health authorities to undertake local consultations about whether the populations that they serve are in favour.

Health Care (York)

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) consultants and (b) junior hospital doctors there were in each clinical specialty at (i) York district hospital and (ii) York Primary Care Trust in each year since 1992.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Health Care Providers

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his Answer of 6 October 2003, Official Report, columns 343–44W, on health care providers, if he will list foreign-owned private health care providers who provide services to the NHS whose names are held centrally.

John Hutton: United Healthcare is providing administrative health services to 10 primary care trusts (PCTs). Kaiser Permanente is engaged with eight PCTs as part of a non-contractual mutual learning arrangement.
	Both these arrangements involve the provision of support around redesigning health services rather than the direct provision of health services.

Health Care Providers

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors led to the initiation of the recent discussions between his Department and United Healthcare; who took the initiative in setting up the discussions; and by what means his Department is accountable to Parliament for the contract with United Healthcare.

John Hutton: In Delivering the NHS Plan, published in April 2002, the Government set out its intention for the national health service to work with international organisations to develop and test models of integrated health care.
	In August 2002 my right hon. Friend, the Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) asked Departmental officials to enter into discussions to explore the potential for and feasibility of adapting and applying United Healthcare's Evercare model in a number of primary care trusts (PCTs).
	The framework agreement between the Secretary of State and the United Healthcare provided for United Healthcare to undertake scoping work with ten PCTs. Under this agreement, individual PCTs that wished to take the work further then contracted with United Healthcare for administrative healthcare services.
	Funding from a Vote 1 central budget has been transferred to each PCT as a contribution to the overall cost of the pilot. The accounting officer for the Department (the chief executive) is responsible to Parliament for the expenditure of the Vote.

Health Care Providers

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many foreign-owned private health care providers are providing services to the Transformational Change Programme managed by the National Primary and Care Trust Development Programme.

John Hutton: Two foreign-owned private healthcare providers are providing support to primary care trusts through the national primary and care trust development programme's transformational change programme.
	Nine primary care trusts (PCTs) have contracted with United Healthcare Group for assistance in redesigning services for vulnerable elderly people. One has contracted for support in predicting demand for health services.
	Eight PCTs are also participating in a non-contractual mutual learning arrangement with Kaiser Permanente as part of the transformational change programme.

Health Inequalities

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the extent of inequality of (a) health, (b) access to health and (c) accessibility of health services; and if he will make a statement on the extent to which these inequalities have changed since 1997.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 29 October 2003
	The health gap, between those at the top and bottom ends of the social scale, remains large and in some areas continues to widen, despite overall improvements in health. We have set a national target to reverse this trend and, in July, published a Programme for Action. The latest available data shows that while the gap between the infant mortality rate for routine and manual groups and the whole population widened slightly, there was no significant change for male or female life expectancy for the same period. This data refers chiefly to the period before targets were set. We will be publishing a first annual report on health inequalities in 2004. Other inequalities in access to services and accessibility of services are not readily measurable in a nationally comparable way. We have asked primary care trusts to undertake a health equality audit to identify and tackle important health inequalities in their area. The first results are due in 2004.

Long-term Care

John Horam: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will standardise the procedure for closing NHS care homes.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 5 November 2003
	It would not be appropriate or practical for the Government to try to impose a standardised closure procedure on care homes. This is because care home closures may occur for a wide variety of reasons, such as a fall in the local demand for care home places or the rising value of property.
	Also, the overwhelming majority of care homes are private businesses and the Government cannot intervene in a decision by the owner of that business to cease trading as a care home. However, providers are required under the Care Homes Regulations 2001 to give residents a reasonable period of notice when closing the home. The period of notice should be set out in the residents' contracts or statement of terms and conditions.
	Local councils should have contingency plans, drawn up in consultation with service providers, for dealing with the closure of homes. Local councils have a responsibility for making alternative arrangements for anyone that they place in a home which subsequently closes.

Lung Cancer

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken into combining CT scans and radioactive trace PET scans to detect lung cancer.

Melanie Johnson: The Department has not funded research into combining computed tomography scans and radioactive trace positron emission tomography scans to detect lung cancer. The Medical Research Council (MRC) would consider applications for research in this specific area. The MRC always welcomes high quality applications for support into any aspect of human health and these are judged in open competition with other demands on funding.

Lymphoedema

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department collates relating to the number of persons living within the East Kent Health Authority catchment area suffering from lymphoedema.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 5 November 2003
	The Department does not routinely collect statistics on the prevalence of individual conditions like lymphoedema. However, we do have data on admissions to national health service hospitals for patients whose primary diagnosis is lymphoedema. Information on the number of admissions based on those people who live in the East Kent Health Authority area is shown in the table. Admissions are defined as the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. These figures for not represent the number of in-patients as a person may have more than one admission within the year.
	
		
			  Admissions 
		
		
			 1996–97 15 
			 1997–98 13 
			 1998–99 17 
			 1999–2000 10 
			 2000–01 9 
			 2001–02 4 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 2002–03) diagnosis fields in the HES data and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.
	2. Figures are grossed for both coverage and missing/invalid clinical data, except for 2001–02, which is not yet adjusted for shortfalls.
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health.

Mental Health Services

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total funding for mental health services has been in the NHS in London in each of the past five years.

John Hutton: The table shows data on mental health expenditure from 1998–99 to 2002–03, which is the latest year for which figures are available.
	
		Mental Illness expenditure  -- (£ thousands)
		
			  London Regional Office Area 
		
		
			 1998–99 667,408 
			 1999–2000 763,238 
			 2000–01 861,671 
			 2001–02 961,549 
			 2002–03 1,074,817 
		
	
	Notes:2002–03 data remains provisional. Figures are provided for health authorities and primary care trusts within the NHS London Regional Office area for 1998–99 to 2001–02 and for those organisations within the five London strategic health authority areas for 2002–03. Expenditure relates to the commissioning of secondary care mental illness only: Figures are not available for mental illness expenditure for primary care nor mental illness expenditure within personal social services.Sources:
	Health authority audited accounts 1998–99
	Health authority audited summarisation forms 1999–2000 to 2002–03
	Primary care trust audited summarisation schedules 2000–01 to 2002–03

Multiple Sclerosis

Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients receiving a disease modifying treatment for multiple sclerosis are included within the formal monitoring arrangements of the risk-sharing scheme; and what assessment he has made of whether the estimate of 7,000 patients by November will be reached.

Stephen Ladyman: Up to the end of August, around 6,300 patients were receiving treatment with a disease modifying treatment for their multiple sclerosis. Around 300 patients each month are being initiated on treatment. Sheffield University's School of Health and Related Research is collecting scheme data and we are discussing with them how best to publicise a breakdown of patients currently being treated to show the subsets being treated under the scheme and those subject to detailed monitoring. As yet, we have no precise estimate of the likely date on which full recruitment of the cohort of patients subject to detailed monitoring will be achieved.

NHS Estate

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 14 October 2003, Official Report, column 52W, on the NHS Estate (Health and Safety), what percentage of patient-occupied floor area was below (a) health and safety compliance and (b) fire safety standards in (i) England, (ii) each strategic health authority and (iii) each NHS trust in each year since 1997.

John Hutton: Nationally, figures for the proportion of patient occupied floor area that is not compliant with statutory health and safety and statutory fire safety regulations, including compliance with the National Health Service Firecode Standards, are 9.71 per cent. and 7.31 per cent. in 2002–03, a reduction from the 2001–02 figures.
	Data collection began in 2001–02 and the information requested has been placed in the Library. Owing to trust mergers in 2002–03, direct comparison with data for 2001–02 is not possible in all cases.
	These figures reflect the proportion of the estate that is not fully compliant. Non-compliance covers a wide variety of conditions, including that which is just below standard. Therefore, the figures do not indicate levels of risk. Trusts make every effort to remedy any concerns from local enforcement bodies as quickly as possible. This is reflected in the very small numbers of injuries and deaths arising as a result of fires and reportable health and safety incidents in NHS hospitals in England, despite the very high numbers of people who use healthcare premises.

NHS Staff

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff are employed by the Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic Health Authority.

Stephen Ladyman: Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic Health Authority (SHA) reports that it currently employs 120 permanent members of staff. That includes Shropshire and Staffordshire Workforce Development Confederation, which joined with the SHA on 1 October 2003.

Nurse Practitioners

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he intends to allow nurse practitioners to run medical practices.

John Hutton: The Government are committed to widening career opportunities for nurses and increasing recognition of the role nurses play in delivering primary care.
	Under personal medical services arrangements, nurses may already run medical practices.
	We intend to continue these arrangements, and carry them over into the new general medical services contract so that nurses may be co-signatories to the contract.

Prescribed Drugs

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to reduce the waste of prescribed drugs through their not being used;
	(2)  if he will estimate the annual value of prescribed drugs not used.

Rosie Winterton: It is estimated that unused medicines returned to pharmacies are probably worth £100 million per year. The Department is concerned about the wastage of unused medicines and has introduced a number of initiatives to address this.
	These include, the medicines management collaborative schemes that demonstrate innovation and good practice in medicines management. Reducing the volume of unwanted medicines is one of the local objectives being pursued by some of the primary care trusts participating in the programme.
	Repeat dispensing makes it possible for patients to get their repeat medicines for up to a year from their community pharmacy without having to contact their general practitioner's surgery. At each repeat dispensing episode, the community pharmacists checks that the medicines are still needed and being used appropriately by the patient.
	The first wave of 30 pathfinder sites is no under way, with another 50 or so coming on stream early nest year, ahead of national roll-out by end of 2004. Evidence from previous pilot studies has shown that repeat dispensing helps reduce waste.
	In the Government statement of 17 July on the proposed framework for a new community pharmacy contract, disposal of medicines would form one of the essential services for all national health service pharmacies. Discussions on this front continue with the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and the NHS Confederation. We aim to start implementing by April 2004. www.doh.gov.uk/pharmacyframework
	Modernising hospital pharmacy services, where patients can now continue to use their medicines when admitted to hospital, together with dispensing medicines at the outset sufficient for discharge, has also been shown to reduce waste.

Prescriptions

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average amount paid to Her Majesty's Government from each prescription charge was for financial year 2001–02; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: For the financial year 2001–02, the amount of each prescription charge was £6.10.

Prescriptions

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated cost of wastage caused by patients returning unused prescription medicine to chemists was in the last year for which figures are available; and what steps the Department is taking to reduce such wastage.

Rosie Winterton: While the Department regularly obtains information on the extent of local national health service schemes for the collection and disposal of unwanted medicines, and these are available across the country, this does not include the cost of medicines returned. The latest estimate is that unused medicines returned to pharmacies are probably worth £100 million per year.
	The Department is concerned about the wastage of unused medicines and has introduced a number of initiatives to address this. These include the medicines management collaborative schemes that demonstrate innovation and good practice in medicines management. Reducing the volume of unwanted medicines is one of the local objectives being pursued by some of the primary care trusts (PCTs) participating in the programme.
	Repeat dispensing makes it possible for patients to get their repeat medicines for up to a year from their community pharmacy without having to contact their general practitioner's surgery. At each repeat dispensing episode, the community pharmacist checks that the medicines are still needed and being used appropriately by the patient. The first wave of 30 pathfinder sites is now under way, with another fifty or so coming on stream early next year, ahead of national roll-out by end of 2004. Evidence from previous pilot studies has shown that repeat dispensing helps reduce waste.
	We are funding a joint task force, based at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, to lead implementation of a national strategy to spread better understanding of and partnerships between patients and health professionals on taking their medicines. This will promote the benefits of helping patients to take a more active role in managing their own care.
	In the Government statement of 17 July on the proposed framework for a new community pharmacy contract, available at www.doh.gov.uk/pharmacyframework, it was highlighted that disposal of medicines was expected to form one of the essential services normally provided by all NHS pharmacies. Discussions on this front continue with the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and the NHS confederation. We aim to start implementing from April 2004.
	Modernising hospital pharmacy services, where patients can now continue to use their medicines when admitted to hospital, together with dispensing medicines at the outset sufficient for discharge, has also been shown to reduce waste.

Primary Care Trusts

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the three most (a) advantaged and (b) disadvantaged primary care trusts, giving their respective distance from their funding target allocation in percentage terms for 2003–04 to 2005–06; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: As a result of the 2003–04 to 2005–06 revenue allocations all primary care trusts in England will make progress towards their target shares of resources as determined by the weighted capitation formula.
	Information on distances from targets for primary care trusts in England for 2003–04 to 2005–06 is available in the Library.

Primary Care Trusts

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money was allocated to each primary care trust to pay for the new consultant's contract.

John Hutton: Primary care trust allocations for 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06 include 0.3 per cent., 0.4 per cent, and 0.5 per cent, of main allocations for the new consultants' contract.

Private Hospitals

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of private hospitals do not have 24 hour cover from qualified doctors.

John Hutton: Establishments registered as independent hospitals, with the National Care Standards Commission under the Care Standards Act 2000, that have overnight beds for in-patients undergoing medical treatment or surgery are required as a national minimum standard to have a resident medical officer available on immediate call at all times to manage urgent care if a consultant under whom a patient has been admitted is absent or unavailable. Information on the proportion of private hospitals that have such beds is not collected centrally.

Public Service Contracts

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many public service contracts were awarded by his Department (a) in total and (b) to SMEs in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: This information is currently not held centrally and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

Teeth

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the adult population had no natural teeth in (a) 1983, (b) 1993 and (c) at the latest date for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: The proportion of the adult population with no natural teeth in 1978, 1988 and 1998 is shown in the following table. This data are available from the Adult Dental Health Survey, which is carried out every 10 years and covers adults aged 16 years and over in the United Kingdom.
	
		
			  Percentage of the adult population with no natural teeth 
		
		
			 1978 30 
			 1988 21 
			 1998 13 
		
	
	Source:
	Adult Dental Health Survey, 1998.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Council Tax Benefit

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what proportion of those eligible for council tax benefit claimed the benefit in (a) Chorley, (b) Lancashire and (c) the North West Region in 2002–03;
	(2)  what proportion of pensioners received council tax benefit in 2002–03; and what proportion of pensioners in Chorley who were eligible claimed the benefit.

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the percentage of households wholly comprised of those aged over 60 years who were (a) wholly and (b) partially relieved of payments of council tax in 2002–03.

Chris Pond: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Simon Hughes) on 4 November 2003, Official Report, column 610W.

Back-to-work Support (Over-50s)

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what back-to-work support is available for people aged over 50; and how many people over 50 have been put back into work through Government initiatives since 1997.

Des Browne: We are providing a wide range of services through Jobcentre Plus to help people aged over 50 looking for work. This includes job-search help and advice, training, and claiming in-work financial support. Well over 120,000 people aged over 50 have been helped back to work through Government programmes, such as New Deal 50 plus, since they began to be introduced in 1998. These programmes have helped to increase the employment rate of older workers by 5.4 per cent. from 64.7 per cent. in the spring of 1997 to 70.1 per cent. in the spring of 2003.

Benefit Claimants (Somerset)

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many young people from other counties who are 16 or over are claiming benefits in Somerset.

Chris Pond: Details of a person's place of birth or origin are not routinely collected when they make a claim to benefit. Therefore, it is not possible to supply details of how many young people claiming benefits in Somerset come from outside the county.

Benefit Payments

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of the people who have received a letter about direct payment of benefits have begun to receive benefits by automated credit transfer, broken down into those who have opted to have their benefits paid into (a) a Post Office card account, (b) a basic bank account and (c) a regular current account.

Chris Pond: We are unable to supply the information in the format required.
	Key figures on the progress of conversion to Direct Payment are available in the Library updated every four weeks.
	We do not distinguish between existing or basic bank accounts.

Carers' Allowance

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the cost of abolishing the overlapping benefits rule for the payment of carers' allowance.

Maria Eagle: The overlapping benefit rules are a fundamental feature of the social security system. They prevent the payment at the same time of two or more benefits intended for the same purpose.
	The estimated gross cost of abolishing these rules for the payment of carers' allowance would be around £330 million a year 1 . After adjusting for offsets in income-related benefits 2 , the estimated net cost would be about £195 million a year. These figures do not take account of the behavioural effect of carers presently not claiming carer's allowance who would be induced to do so by a change in the rules.
	1 Gross costs are calculated from data taken from a 100 per cent extract of CA claims on the CA computer system for May 2003. They allow for cases where an underlying entitlement exists but records are not currently held on the system.
	2 Offsets are calculated from a 5 per cent. extract of claims on the Income Support computer system in 2003 and a per cent. extract of the Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit claims of May 2001.

Child Maintenance Bonus

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the value of accrued entitlements to the child maintenance bonus among lone parents in receipt of income support in Scotland; and if he will make it his policy to preserve accrued entitlements to the child maintenance bonus once the new child support rules are applied to all families.

Chris Pond: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 23 October 2003, Official Report, columns 703–04W.

Child Support Agency

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidelines are used by the Child Support Agency in dealing with cases where automatic deductions from pay have been made by an employer, but have not been passed on to the CSA; and what plans he has to review these guidelines.

Chris Pond: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Mike Isaac to Mr. Huw Irranca-Davies, dated 10 November 2003
	In replying to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive. As he is currently on leave I am replying on his behalf.
	You asked what guidelines the Child Support Agency uses in dealing with cases where automatic deductions from pay have been made by an employer, but have not been passed on to the Agency.
	Where a deduction from earnings is made the employer is required to pay it to the Agency by, at the latest, the 19th of the month following that in which the deduction was made. The Agency will contact the employer soon after the 19th of the month if a payment is not received. While non-receipt of payment from an employer is rare we will also contact the non-resident parent and inform them that payment has not been received from their employer.

Child Support Agency

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many liability orders were granted in the last 12 months following enforcement action by the Child Support Agency;
	(2)  whether priority is given by the Child Support Agency to enforcement action in cases (a) where the parent with care is in receipt of income support and other similar benefits and (b) where the parent with care is not;
	(3)  what the maximum acceptable timescale is for the Child Support Agency to complete an enforcement action from its commencement; what proportion of cases met these targets in 2002–03; and what procedures are in place to monitor compliance with these targets.

Chris Pond: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Mike Isaac to Bill Tynan, dated 10 November 2003
	In replying to your recent Parliamentary questions about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked:
	How many liability orders were granted in the last 12 months following enforcement action by the Agency;
	Whether the Agency gives priority to enforcement action in cases where the parent with care is in receipt of income support and other similar benefits;
	What the maximum acceptable timescale is for the Agency to complete enforcement action, what proportion of cases met such targets in 2002–03, and what procedures are in place to monitor compliance with these targets.
	From the 1 October 2002—30 September 2003 the Agency was granted 3,169 Liability Orders by the courts in England, Scotland and Wales.
	Where a non-resident parent refuses to pay the assessed maintenance for their child(ren) we always consider appropriate enforcement action. For employed non-compliant parents the Agency would usually seek to implement deduction from earnings orders from their earnings. For those who are self-employed, or who have other forms of income, we have to take action through the courts. We always seek to give equal priority to those parents with care who are in receipt of benefit and to those who are not.
	Currently, there are no set timescales for the completion of enforcement action. The time taken varies according to the circumstances of the case, the availability of court dates, the non-attendance of the non-resident parent in court, etc. We are looking to include targets for the different processes that comprise our enforcement action next year.

Child Support Agency

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects that existing cases will be migrated to the new system of operating the Child Support Agency.

Chris Pond: I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson) on 16 September 2003, Official Report, columns 696–97W.

Correspondence

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will respond to the letter of 14 August from the hon. Member for Totnes concerning Mrs. J. Duffy of Kingsbridge, Devon.

Andrew Smith: I replied to the hon. Member on 4 September. I am forwarding a copy of my letter to him.

Correspondence

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will respond to the letter of 18 August from the hon. Member for Totnes concerning Mr. Guy Pannell of South Brent and the winding-up of pension schemes.

Malcolm Wicks: I regret we have no record of the hon. Member's letter. If he would like to forward a copy I will arrange for it to be considered urgently.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions why he has not yet replied to the letter to him dated 18 September from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. J. Meehan.

Andrew Smith: I replied to my right hon. Friend on 13 October. I am forwarding a copy of my letter to him.

Disability Handbook

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2003, Official Report, column 758W, on the Disability Handbook, when the Government will start a programme to revise the Disability Handbook; what plans the Government has to consult the National Autistic Society during this review; and when the Government anticipates this work will be completed.

Maria Eagle: The Department is continuing to work on determining the final format for the information technology based guidance, which will eventually replace the Disability Handbook. The new guidance will be rolled out in phases. Detailed plans for its development and implementation have not yet been decided. Officials have already had meetings with the National Autistic Society and will take into consideration their comments on the current section in the Disability Handbook, in addition to information on the autistic spectrum disorder provided by them. The Department would welcome their comments on the revised draft guidance when developed.

EDS

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list payments made to EDS in respect of (a) the Child Support Agency and (b) the Accord project in each of the last five financial years; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Pond: The information is not available in the format requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate costs.

Employment (Wansdyke)

Dan Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people were in employment in Wansdyke constituency in (a) April 1997 and (b) October 2003;
	(2)  how many people were unemployed and claiming benefits in Wansdyke constituency in (a) April 1997 and (b) October 2003.

Chris Pond: In 1997, 86 per cent. of the working age population in Wansdyke were in employment. An equivalent figure is not available for 2003.
	In April 1997 there were 1,333 people unemployed and claiming Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA) in Wansdyke. Latest information from the claimant count is for September 2003, when there were 405 people claiming JSA.

Fireworks

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total capacity of facilities in the United Kingdom licensed by the Health and Safety Executive to store greater than one tonne of fireworks or related explosives was at 1 October.

Des Browne: The total licensed storage capacity for fireworks at sites licensed by the Health and Safety Executive is 19,177 tonnes. This figure represents the net mass of the explosive contained in the fireworks. This storage capacity is sufficient to hold fireworks with a gross weight in excess of 76 thousand tonnes.
	In addition, local authority licensed stores holding more than one tonne (gross) have an estimated capacity of 5,000 tonnes (gross).
	Explosives licensing in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Northern Ireland Office.

Fireworks

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many explosive storage sites, capable of storing what quantity of explosives, were licensed by the Health and Safety Executive and other appropriate bodies in respect of Global Fireworks Ltd. (a) prior to 5 April 2002, (b) between 6 April 2002 and 5 April 2003 and (c) from 6 April 2003 to date.

Des Browne: Global Fireworks Ltd. did not have HSE-licensed storage facilities during any or these periods.
	Licensing of explosives stores in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. We understand that there were no explosives storage facilities licensed or registered in the name of Global Fireworks Ltd. during this period.
	Smaller explosives stores are licensed or registered by local authorities. Registers of these storage facilities are maintained by local authorities. There is no central database of licensed stores and this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Fireworks

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps are taken by the Health and Safety Executive to ensure that consignments of fireworks entering the United Kingdom are taken to a licensed storage site.

Des Browne: The storage of fireworks is regulated by HSE in partnership with local authorities under the Explosives Act 1875. Anyone storing fireworks illegally will be liable for be prosecution.
	HSE works with local authorities and Customs and Excise to verify whether firework importers have licensed storage facilities in Great Britain. The evidence from these checks is that the overwhelming majority of fireworks imports declared to Customs and Excise are being imported by firms with licensed storage available to them.

Fireworks

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many prosecutions were commenced by the Health and Safety Executive for illegal (a) transportation and (b) storage of explosives in each of the last five years.

Des Browne: The information is in the following table. All the prosecutions were successful with the exception of the two prosecutions in the current year which are pending. This table does not include cases in the current year that are still under investigation. Prosecutions by HSE for illegal transport or storage of explosives
	
		
			  Transportation Storage 
		
		
			 1999–2000 — 2 
			 2000–01 2 — 
			 2001–02 1 — 
			 2002–03 — — 
			 2003–04 1 1 
			 Total 4 3

Fireworks

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what quantity of fireworks was seized by the Health and Safety Executive in each of the last five years.

Des Browne: The Health and Safety at Work Act only provides powers to seize fireworks in cases where there is imminent danger. There have been no such cases in any of the last five years.
	Where the fireworks do not present an imminent danger the Health and Safety Executive will serve an enforcement notice requiring the owner to arrange for the fireworks to be removed to a legal storage place. The information in the table gives the number of enforcement notices issued over the last five years.
	Where there are concerns over the safety of the fireworks HSE will work with the local authority to arrange for the fireworks to be dealt with safely and where necessary for enforcement action to be taken by the local authority under the Firework Safety Regulations 1999.
	In addition to requiring the removal HSE will also prosecute where there is sufficient evidence of illegal storage (or other breaches of the legal requirements).
	
		HSE Enforcement Action on illegal fireworks storage
		
			  Enforcement notices 
		
		
			 1999–2000 0 
			 2000–01 1 
			 2001–02 0 
			 2002–03 0 
			 2003–04 5

Fostering and Adoption

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he last met fostering and adoption groups to discuss benefit payment levels.

Chris Pond: The ministerial team of the Department of Work and Pensions meet with a wide range of groups to discuss and further the work of the Department. However, none of the Ministers have met recently with fostering and adoption groups to discuss benefit payment levels.

Health and Safety

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) enforcement notices have been served and (b) prosecutions have been initiated by health and safety inspectors under Health and Safety at Work legislation in each of the last 12 months.

Des Browne: The number of (a) improvement and prohibition notices served, and (b) the number of prosecutions initiated by the Health and Safety Executive, Field Operations Directorate inspectors, in each of the last 12 months for which information is available, are shown in the table:
	
		
			 2002–03(34) Improvement and Prohibition notices issued Separate offences prosecuted 
		
		
			 April 2002 962 110 
			 May 1,462 149 
			 June 1,013 141 
			 July 1,309 109 
			 August 1,098 69 
			 September 1,141 148 
			 October 1,090 121 
			 November 1080 148 
			 December 821 113 
			 January 2003 898 154 
			 February 923 161 
			 March 950 182 
			 Total 12,747 1,605 
		
	
	(34) provisional
	Notes:
	1. Figures for improvement and prohibition notices served, and prosecutions started by local authorities on a month-by-month basis, are not available except at disproportionate cost.
	2. The number of notices are those issued by HSE in Great Britain.
	3. In England and Wales, HSE inspectors initiate prosecutions. In Scotland, the Procurator Fiscal decides whether to bring a prosecution; HSE recommends prosecution when this is justified following an investigation.

Minimum Income Guarantee

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in the Midlothian constituency received the minimum income guarantee on the latest date for which figures are available.

Malcolm Wicks: As at May 2003, the number of Minimum Income Guarantee recipients in Midlothian was around 1,700.
	Notes:
	1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample, and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.
	3. Parliamentary Constituency is assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.
	4. MIG recipients are defined as Income Support benefit units where the claimant, and/or partner is aged 60 or over.
	Source:
	IAD Information Centre, 5 per cent. sample

New Deal

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many 18 to 24-year-olds have left the New Deal for Young People with unknown destinations; and what percentage of these he estimates subsequently found full-time employment.

Des Browne: The New Deal for Young People (NDYP) is a success—by the end of June 2003, just over three-quarters of a million young people had participated in the programme, nearly 450,000 of whom had been helped into jobs.
	However, 264,770 1 people have left NDYP to unknown destinations. A survey in 1999 (Employment Service Research Report: 21 August 1999, Jon Hales and Debbie Collins) reported that 57 per cent. of those recorded as leaving NDYP for unknown destinations between April and August 1998, went into paid employment.
	We are currently conducting a study to provide further information on New Deal unknown destinations.
	We expect to publish the report on this survey next year.
	Note:
	1 Includes people who may have left the programme more than once.

New Deal

Dan Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in the Wansdyke constituency have benefited from each of the New Deal programmes since 1997.

Des Browne: The available information is in the table.
	
		Numbers of people in the Wansdyke constituency helped by the New Deal programme(37)
		
			 Programme(35) People starting People gaining a job 
		
		
			 New Deal for Young People 460 310 
			 New Deal 25 plus 130 40 
			 New Deal for Lone Parents 360 200 
			 New Deal 50 plus(36) 90 90 
		
	
	(35) All figures are up to the end of June 2003 apart from New Deal 50 plus which is
	up to the end of March 2003.
	(36) People in receipt of the New Deal 50 plus Employment Credit.
	(37) Information on the other New Deals is not available broken down by constituency.
	Source:
	New Deal database

Occupational Pension Schemes

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many company occupational pension schemes, covering how many workers, have been closed since 1 December 2002.

Malcolm Wicks: Information on pension schemes is held by the Pension Schemes Registry that is maintained by the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (OPRA). Some data on the number of occupational pension schemes, and number of recorded members in these schemes, recorded by the registry as having closed to new members between 1 October 2002 and 30 June 2003 are provided in the table. The figures relate to the position as at September 2003.
	
		Number of occupational schemes, and number of members in occupational schemes, recorded on Pension Schemes Registry as becoming closed between 1 October 2002 and 30 June 2003
		
			 Date Number of schemes Number of members 
		
		
			 1 October 2002–31 December 2002 113 46,172 
			 1 January 2003–31 March 2003 122 122,283 
			 1 April 2003–30 June 2003 78 44,924 
			 Total 313 213,379 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The Pension Schemes Registry (PSR) is not designed or intended to provide a comprehensive or continuous statistical record of the status of schemes. The PSR registers schemes for tracing purposes and collects the levy from pension schemes, including those in the process of winding-up. New scheme data are being reported to the PSR on a continuous basis. Therefore, the figures are subject to continuous revision. When a scheme has changed status, the previous status of the scheme is not recorded on the registry. Schemes have up to 12 months to notify OPRA of any status change. The data in the table do not include any schemes that may have changed their benefit type (money purchase, salary related or hybrid) but not their status code (from open to closed).
	2. A closed scheme is a registerable scheme to which no new members may be admitted, but existing members can continue to make contributions and accrue benefits. The data above do not contain any schemes that are either frozen, winding up or wound up.
	3. The data in the table relate to private sector occupational pension schemes. In addition to data on occupational schemes, the registry also collects data on personal pension and public sector schemes. These schemes are not included in the table
	Source:
	OPRA.

Pension Credit

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether local authority housing benefit departments are being automatically supplied by his Department with details of the pension credit receipt of pensioners for the purpose of reassessing housing benefit entitlement; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Pond: holding answer 3 November 2003
	We automatically supply local authorities with information about pension credit awards to enable them to determine entitlement to housing benefit and council tax benefit.
	There were some initial technical problems encountered in transmitting information about pension credit awards to local authorities, which affected only a small number of cases and were largely resolved within two weeks. Local authorities have been kept informed of any difficulties, and every effort is being made to resolve remaining minor issues.

Pension Credit

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the take-up rate of the pension credit is in the Midlothian constituency.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is not available in the format requested.
	Approximately half of all pensioner households across Great Britain are eligible for Pension Credit and stand to gain on average £400 a year. Around 1.9 million Pension Credit awards have already been made to pensioner households across Great Britain as a whole (helping more than 2 million individuals).
	The Government has a target for at least 3 million pensioner households to be in receipt of Pension Credit by 2006. We want all those eligible for Pension Credit to take up their entitlement.
	We intend to publish monthly reports on the progress of Pension Credit take-on, which will include information on the number of applications. The first such report will be published later this month.

Poor Households

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate, on the basis of the Households Below Average Income data set, the number and percentage of (a) all dependent children and (b) dependent children under five who are (i) children of lone parents in full-time employment or self-employment, (ii) children of lone parents in part-time employment or self-employment, (iii) other children of lone parents, (iv) children of two parent families where both parents are in full-time employment or self-employment, (v) children of two parent families where one parent is in full-time work and one in part-time work, (vi) children of two parent families where one parent is in full-time work and one not working, (vii) children of two parent families where no parent is working full time but one or more is working part-time and (viii) other children of two parent families in (A) 1979, (B) 1990 and (C) 2001–02.

Chris Pond: holding answer 4 November 2003
	Such information as is available is in the tables.
	
		(a) Number and percentage of all dependent children
		
			  1979 1990–91 2001–02 
		
		
			 Number of dependent children by economic status of family type 
			 Lone parent
			 of which:
			 In full time work 500,000 400,000 600,000 
			 In part time work 400,000 400,000 800,000 
			 Not working 600,000 1,300,000 1,800,000 
			 Couple with children
			 of which:
			 One or more full-time self-employed 1,200,000 1,700,000 1,500,000 
			 Both in full time work 1,400,000 1,300,000 1,600,000 
			 One in full time work, one in part time work 4,100,000 2,900,000 2,900,000 
			 One in full time work, one not working 4,100,000 2,700,000 2,300,000 
			 One or more in part time work 600,000 300,000 600,000 
			 Other 900,000 1,100,000 800,000 
			 Total 13,800,000 12,000,000 12,800,000 
			 Percentage of dependent children by economic status of family type 
			 Lone parent
			 of which:
			 In full time work 3 3 5 
			 In part time work 3 3 6 
			 Other 4 11 14 
			 
			 Couple with children
			 of which:
			 One or more full-time self-employed 9 14 12 
			 Both in full time work 10 10 13 
			 One in full time work, one in part time work 30 24 23 
			 One in full time work, one not working 30 22 18 
			 One or more in part time work 4 3 4 
			 Other 6 9 6 
			 Total 100 100 100 
		
	
	
		(b) Number and percentage of children under five
		
			  1979 1990–91 2001–02 
		
		
			 Number of children under 5 by economic status of family type 
			 Lone parent
			 of which:
			 In full time work — 100,000 100,000 
			 In part time work 100,000 100,000 200,000 
			 Not working 200,000 500,000 600,000 
			 
			 Couple with children
			 of which:
			 One or more full-time self-employed 300,000 500,000 400,000 
			 Both in full time work 100,000 300,000 300,000 
			 One in full time work, one in part time work 1,100,000 800,000 700,000 
			 One in full time work, one not working 1,700,000 1,300,000 900,000 
			 One or more in part time work 100,000 100,000 200,000 
			 Other 300,000 400,000 200,000 
			 Total 3,800,000 4,000,000 3,400,000 
			 
			 Percentage of children under 5 by economic status of family type 
			 Lone parent
			 of which:
			 In full time work 1 2 2 
			 In part time work 1 2 4 
			 Other 5 13 16 
			 
			 Couple with children
			 of which:
			 One or more full-time self-employed 7 12 11 
			 Both in full time work 3 7 9 
			 One in full time work, one in part time work 28 19 21 
			 One in full time work, one not working 44 33 26 
			 One or more in part time work 4 2 5 
			 Other 7 10 6 
			 Total 100 100 100 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Estimates are for Great Britain and, where appropriate, quoted to the nearest thousand or percentage point.
	2. Self-employed couples are presented as a separate category. This is consistent with presentation in the Households Below Average Income series.
	Sources:
	'1979'—Family Expenditure Survey; '1990–91'—1990 and 1991 Family Expenditure Survey; '2001–02'—2001–02 Family Resources Survey.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Affordable Housing

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the authorities that (a) met their targets for (i) affordable and (ii) social housing in the last year for which figures are available and (b) did not meet their targets.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not set annual targets centrally for local authorities on either affordable or social housing.
	Planning policies for affordable housing are set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 3, 'Housing', and in Circular 6/98, 'Planning for Affordable Housing'. They advise that where local planning authorities are able to demonstrate a lack of affordable housing to meet local needs, based on up-to-date surveys and other data of local need, they should indicate in their local plan how many affordable homes need to be provided throughout the plan area, and set indicative targets for specific suitable sites (expressed either as numbers of homes or a percentage of the homes on the site).
	Local planning authorities should be monitoring their performance against their local plan policies and targets, but this information is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Census 2001

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action his Department will take in response to the recent Statistics Commission report on the accuracy of the 2001 census for the Westminster city council area.

Nick Raynsford: Accurate census and population statistics are an important issue for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, particularly for financial allocation and as the basis for population and household projections which underpin a range of policy needs for housing and community support. We look to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to supply these to the highest standard achievable, and in response to the statistics commission report the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and other Central Government Departments will engage with ONS to ensure that this is achieved.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has also noted the recommendation to make progress on the creation of an accurate address register. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister agrees with the need for this and will be working with ONS and other relevant bodies to improve national address information.

Computer Fraud

Vincent Cable: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been (a) budgeted and (b) spent by his Department since April 2002 on (i) combating computer fraud, (ii) preventing theft of computers and (iii) safeguarding the security of information held on computer; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister manages the security of its information, including information held on its computer system, in accordance with the guidance given in the Manual of Protective Security, a comprehensive body of policy and interdepartmentally agreed security standards that is issued by the Cabinet Office.
	Over the period referred to, many of the services involved in managing our security, were provided jointly to Department for Transport (DfT)as well as the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister . In addition, the services are provided as part of the overall provision of Information Technology, Audit and other security related service. It is therefore not possible to provide an accurate breakdown in the way requested without incurring disproportionate cost.
	The overall staff costs across both Departments for some of the areas contributing to the management of our security are:
	
		
			  £ thousand 
		
		
			 IT Audit Services: 224.5 
			 IT Security Office: 122.3 
			 Internal Firewall Management: 216.2 
			 Other IT Security Services: 158.3 
		
	
	As part of the commitment to information security, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently moving to compliance with BS7799 for corporate ICT services for DfT and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The budget for this project is £300,000 for 2002–04.

Council Tax

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the (a) average and (b) average band D council tax was in (i) Sedgefield borough council and (ii) Durham county council in each year since 1997.

Nick Raynsford: The information requested is tabled as follows:
	
		£
		
			  Sedgefield borough council Durham county council 
			  Authority's own Band D council tax1 Authority's own average council tax per dwelling1 Authority's own Band D council tax Authority's own average council tax per dwelling 
		
		
			 1996–97 111 130 486 397 
			 1997–98 235 155 548 372 
			 1998–99 246 162 634 429 
			 1999–2000 254 168 662 448 
			 2000–01 265 174 692 470 
			 2001–02 278 183 721 489 
			 2002–03 302 198 828 562 
			 2003–04 311 205 903 615 
		
	
	(38) Including parish and town council precepts

Council Tax

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average council tax was in England in each financial year since 1995–96.

Nick Raynsford: The information requested is tabled as follows:
	
		£
		
			  Average Band D council tax fortwo adults Average council tax per dwelling 
		
		
			 1995–96 609 498 
			 1996–97 646 525 
			 1997–98 688 564 
			 1998–99 747 614 
			 1999–2000 798 656 
			 2000–01 847 697 
			 2001–02 901 741 
			 2002–03 976 804 
			 2003–04 1,102 908

Council Tax

Jim Cousins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many properties there were (a) in 1997 and (b) on 1 April 2003 in each council tax band in (i) England and (ii) each council tax collecting authority in England; and what the proportion of total properties was in each case.

Nick Raynsford: Information on the number of properties in council tax bands as at 1 April is not available. Figures are available, however, as at 16 October. Those as at 16 October in the previous year have been provided for England are given in the following table. A table giving figures for individual billing authorities is available in the Library of the House.
	
		Council tax bands, England
		
			 Band Number of chargeable dwellings Percentage of total chargeable dwellings Number of chargeable dwellings Percentage of total chargeable dwellings 
		
		
			 A 5,203,350 26.1 5,293,456 25.4 
			 B 3,870,586 19.4 4,011,941 19.2 
			 C 4,351,090 21.8 4,515,653 21.7 
			 D 2,956,331 14.8 3,151,048 15.1 
			 E 1,813,481 9.1 1,975,568 9.5 
			 F 947,300 4.8 1,044,435 5.0 
			 G 688,168 3.5 749,382 3.6 
			 H 103,297 0.5 113,545 0.5 
			 Total 19,933,605 100.0 20,855,028 100.0 
		
	
	Source:
	CTB1 returns

Council Tax Benefit

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of those eligible for council tax benefit took up the benefit in 2002–03.

Chris Pond: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested is presented in the DWP annual report, "Income Related Benefits-Estimates of Take-Up", which is available in the Library.

Cumbria

Eric Martlew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will restore Cumbria to the Northern Region; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: Cumbria is part of the North West Region and will remain so.

Housing (Seller's Pack/Overcrowding)

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  in relation to the draft Housing Bill, how many surveyors will be required to fulfill the requirement of the seller's pack proposals; how these will be trained; and over what timescale they will be available; [R]
	(2)  what plans the Government have to amend the Overcrowding Standard as defined in the Housing Act 1985.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's initial estimate is that between 7,500 and 8,500 Home Inspectors will be needed to carry out home condition reports but this figure may be revised in the light of consultations and further work with the industry. Research indicates that there is a substantial pool of labour that could meet this potential demand, including the 4,500 people who are carrying out residential surveys now.
	Home Inspectors will have to be certified and trained to National Occupational Standards. An awarding body will be appointed by the certification scheme to accredit the training courses and qualifications for home inspectors. Academic institutions, professional institutions and major employers are likely to run courses and training will take account of differences in prior knowledge and skills. Work on this has already started and we expect this will accelerate once the proposed new legislation is in place. Any requirement for sellers to provide a home condition report will not be brought into force until the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is satisfied that there are sufficient trained Home Inspectors in place.
	The Government recognises that the statutory overcrowding standards in the Housing Act 1985 are now out of date, and is considering whether they should be reformed in the light of the arguments presented during the Westminster Hall Debate on 29 October 2003, Official Report, column 105WH.

Housing Capital Receipts

Alan Beith: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether, under transitional provisions relating to the Local Government Act 2003, housing authorities currently repaying debt from housing capital receipts will have the transfer of these receipts to Central Government fully offset in the calculation of housing subsidy for the next two years.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will publish the proposals for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) subsidy for 2004–05 shortly.

Housing Market Renewal Pathfinders

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received about turning the housing renewal pathfinders into urban development corporations; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: None.

Housing Market Renewal Pathfinders

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many housing market renewal pathfinders have websites; and whether it is his policy to encourage this.

Keith Hill: Market Renewal Pathfinders communication strategies are determined by them to reflect local circumstances. Currently as part of their communication strategies two pathfinders have websites. These are Merseyside at www.newheartands.co.uk and Newcastle Gateshead at www.newcastlegateshead pathfinder.co.uk.

Housing Refurbishment

Frank Dobson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the capital funding allocated to Arm's Length Management Organisations for housing refurbishment is treated in the same way in Government Accounts as capital supplied for the same purposes by local authorities.

Keith Hill: Capital resources for housing refurbishment investment is currently provided to Arms Length Management Organisations and local authorities through credit approvals, a permission to borrow up to a certain limit. These approvals are supported, as required, by subsidy payments through the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).
	Credit approvals are not shown within central Government Accounts as they do not reflect cash transactions between Central and local Government. Subsidy paid within the HRA is shown within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Resource Accounts.
	Capital resources that are secured through borrowing, or provided for separately, by local authorities would be identified within their own accounts.

Housing Statistics

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) house starts and (b) overall house sales there were in (i) 1980, (ii) 1990, (iii) 2000 and (iv) the last year statistics were available, broken down by region.

Keith Hill: The information requested is as follows.
	(a) The latest available statistics for total house starts by region for 1980, 1990, 2000 and 2002 are tabled as follows:
	
		
			  1980 1990 2000 2002 
		
		
			 North East 6,046 7,272 7,094 6,387 
			 North West 17,156 19,293 18,683 19,112 
			 Yorkshire & the Humber 12,829 11,922 13,813 14,615 
			 East Midlands 13,256 13,537 15,130 16,004 
			 West Midlands 13,761 15,862 15,780 14,659 
			 East 17,032 17,477 18,686 19,315 
			 London 8,226 9,850 15,300 16,914 
			 South East 27,162 21,710 23,440 25,303 
			 South West 15,872 16,546 16,741 16,918 
			 Total 131,340 133,469 144,667 149,227 
		
	
	Source:
	Returns to ODPM from local authorities
	(b) The latest available statistics for overall house sales by region for 1996 (first year available), 2000 and 2002 are tabled as follows:
	
		
			  1996 2000 2002 
		
		
			 North East 38,701 46,941 58,268 
			 North West 110,350 137,645 165,889 
			 Yorkshire & the Humber 83,419 101,504 122,380 
			 East Midlands 78,727 97,080 113,253 
			 West Midlands 87,417 100,871 117,982 
			 East 117,065 130,699 148,081 
			 London 139,587 153,854 173,286 
			 South East 182,719 192,439 223,564 
			 South West 111,290 123,972 138,925 
			 Total 949,275 1,085,005 1,261,628 
		
	
	Source:
	Land Registry

Local Elections

John Pugh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many allegations of electoral fraud in the North West Region have been investigated in the last 10 years.

Nick Raynsford: The information requested on electoral fraud at elections is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Local Government Finance

Phil Sawford: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which local authorities received a grant settlement that was limited by the ceiling in 2003–04; and what percentage increase each of these authorities would have received if a ceiling had not been imposed.

Nick Raynsford: A table showing the percentage increase in grant before floors and ceilings for all authorities is available in the Library of the House.

Local Government Finance

Phil Sawford: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost would have been in 2003–04 of funding local authorities in accordance with the funding formula if a ceiling had not been imposed.

Nick Raynsford: If the same grant floors had been retained then the full cost of the floor would have to be entirely financed via the scaling factor for all authorities above the floor. The factors by which grant increases were scaled back would have changed from approximately 0.94 to 0.84 for education authorities; from approximately 0.90 to 0.53 for police and fire authorities; and from approximately 0.95 to 0.64 for shire districts.
	Alternatively additional money would have to be found to meet the cost of the floor. The total cost of the floor was £266,591,602 for all authorities in 2003–04.

Local Government Finance

Phil Sawford: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action he is taking to remove the ceiling imposed on local authorities in order to bring their grant settlement up to the funding formula in future years.

Nick Raynsford: The White Paper 'Strong Local Leadership—Quality Public Services' made clear the intentions of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to retain floors and ceilings in order to ensure that all authorities receive a reasonable increase in grant, and to avoid large fluctuations in grant from year to year.

Local Government Revenue

Jim Cousins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) amount and (b) share of local government revenue was accounted for by (i) revenue support grant, (ii) other Government grants and funds, (iii) universal business rate and (iv) council tax in (A) England and (B) each council tax levying authority in England in (1) 1996–97 and (2) 2002–03.

Nick Raynsford: A table showing figures for England is available in the Library of the House.

Mobile Phone Masts

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the effects of the recent high court judgement concerning the issue of health and mobile phone mast planning applications.

Keith Hill: The judgment by Mr. Justice Richards on 22 October in the case of "Phillips v The First Secretary of State and others" was about the compliance with the procedural requirements in the planning appeal process and was confined to its own facts. It does not have any wider ramifications.
	The judgment reflects Planning Policy Guidance Note 8: Telecommunications that it is for the decision-maker to decide whether health concerns are a material consideration and what weight to place on them.
	Nevertheless, PPG8 states that, in the Government's view, if a proposed mobile phone base station meets the international guidelines for public exposure (the ICNIRP guidelines) it should not be necessary for a local planning authority, in processing an application, to give further consideration to the health aspects and any concerns about them. It remains the Government's firm view that the planning system is not the appropriate mechanism for determining health safeguards.

New Deal

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the (a) schemes and (b) funding made available to St. Helens South since 1998 under the New Deal for Communities.

Yvette Cooper: There are no New Deal for Communities (NDC) Partnerships in St. Helens South, and so no NDC funding has been made available in the area. However St. Helens does receive Neighbourhood Renewal Funding.
	The 39 NDC areas were chosen by firstly considering the degree, intensity and extent of deprivation in different areas, based on the 1998 (then current) Index of Local Deprivation. Secondly, we aimed to have a regional spread, so that lessons could be learnt from experiences across the whole country. Each NDC Partnership has a grant of between £35 million to £62 million to spend over the 10-year lifetime of the Programme.

Newcastle-Gateshead Pathfinder

Nick Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with Newcastle Gateshead Pathfinder dealing with the under-occupancy in designated local government wards in Newcastle and Gateshead; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: The Newcastle/Gateshead Pathfinder's initial strategic scheme has been received by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will be discussing the details of the scheme with the pathfinder in the coming weeks. One of the aims of the pathfinder programme is to achieve a better match between the housing stock available locally and the needs of households in the pathfinder area. It is expected that pathfinder strategies will propose a mixture of clearance, new build and refurbishment/remodelling to achieve this better balance.
	In addition, local authorities are subject to regular monitoring by the Audit Commission Housing Inspectorate's Best Value regime which checks for the efficient use of public sector housing stock in meeting the needs of local residents.

Out-of-borough Housing (Newham)

John Cryer: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what funds the London borough of Newham claimed from Her Majesty's Government for expenditure on out-of-borough housing in each of the past five years.

Keith Hill: Resources for local authority housing during this period were provided through the Housing Investment Programme and Housing Revenue Account subsidy. It is for authorities to use their resources as they see fit. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not collect information on the amount that may have been spent on particular dwellings.

Planning (Section 106)

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what advice he offers local authorities on the operation of section 106 development gains, with particular regard to the amount of land allocated to social and affordable housing.

Keith Hill: National policy for England is set out in Circular 1/97 on Planning Obligations (January 1997) which sets out guidelines on the use of planning obligations. Broadly, it requires planning obligations to be: necessary; relevant; directly related to proposed development; fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind to the proposed development; and reasonable in all other respects. The Circular only gives a general indication of what might be reasonable, since establishing the relationship between a particular planning benefit and an individual development must be a matter of judgement, exercised in the light of local circumstances, rather than an issue for detailed national prescription.
	National policy for England on planning for affordable housing is currently provided in Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 on Housing (March 2000) and Circular 6/98 (April 1998) on Planning and Affordable Housing. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has recently proposed changes to this policy framework and these are set out in the consultation document 'Influencing the size, type and affordability of housing' (July 2003). These changes will be accompanied by practical advice on what works well and where.

Planning (Section 106)

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Government's proposals to modify the section 106 planning procedure.

Keith Hill: I refer the hon. Member to the Parliamentary Statement given on 6 November 2003, Official Report, column 39WS.

Planning Inspectors' Reports

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many decisions after receipt of planning inspectors' reports have been delayed for longer than (a) three, (b) six and (c) nine months in the last three years.

Keith Hill: The information requested on planning decisions was not centrally recorded in suitable format prior to April 2002, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The records held by the Government Offices only record whether cases were completed before the primary target of eight weeks and secondary target of 13 weeks or after the secondary target.
	
		
			  April 2000 to March 2001 April 200  to March 2002 
		
		
			 Total decisions (Number) 173 189 
			 Less than the secondary target (13 weeks) (Percentage) 58 55 
			 Longer than the secondary target (13 weeks) (Percentage) 42 45 
		
	
	However, the information requested is available for cases dealt with by Planning Central Casework Division in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minster since April 2002.
	
		
			  April 2002 to March 2003 April 2003 to September 2003 
		
		
			 Total decisions 183 162 
			 Longer than three months 32 28 
			 Longer than six months 1 12 
			 Longer than nine months 0 0

Planning Inspectors' Reports

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what target he sets for the length of time he takes to reach a decision after receipt of an inspector's report on a planning inquiry.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's target (shared between Planning Central Casework Division (PCCD) and the Planning Inspectorate (PINS)) is, by March 2004, to decide 80 per cent. of called in planning applications and my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister appeals within 16 weeks of the close of inquiry. Half the necessary improvement was secured in the first year.

Recommended Consultants

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his Department maintains a list of recommended consultants to be employed by local authorities for conducting (a) best value studies and (b) privatisation or voluntary transfer of council housing stock.

Keith Hill: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 6 October 2003, Official Report, column 1026W.

Regional Spatial Strategy

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what role he will have under the new Planning Bill in deciding (a) the total number of houses that are to be included in the Regional Spatial Strategy and (b) the number of houses that each local authority is to be allocated; and whether county councils will become statutory consultees in this process.

Keith Hill: In relation to (a) under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill, as now, the regional planning body would propose the number of new dwellings that should be provided in its region. In relation to (b) the RPB would be able to distribute this provision on a sub-regional basis, for example according to housing market areas, and to identify the consequences for each local planning authority. Both the total number and its distribution would then be tested at an examination in public. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister would receive a report of the Panel which conducted the examination and decide whether to confirm the proposals. Under the draft regulations for Part 1 of the Bill, county councils would be statutory consultees in the RPB's preparation of the draft figures.

Resource Equalisation

Peter Luff: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the local authorities that both do not receive area cost adjustment and lose government grant in 2003–04 under the resource equalisation arrangements.

Nick Raynsford: No authority lost grant in 2003–04, as every authority received an increase of at least 3 per cent. The following authorities both do not receive area cost adjustment and had a lower increase than they would have done had the additional resource equalisation element not been introduced for 2003–04:
	Shire Districts:
	Bromsgrove
	Christchurch
	East Dorset
	Shire Counties:
	Cornwall
	Cumbria
	Derbyshire
	Devon
	Dorset
	Durham
	Lancashire
	Leicestershire
	Lincolnshire
	Norfolk
	North Yorkshire
	Northumber1and
	Nottinghamshire
	Shropshire
	Somerset
	Staffordshire
	Suffolk
	Worcestershire
	Shire Unitary Authorities:
	Bournemouth
	East Riding of Yorkshire
	Herefordshire
	North Lincolnshire
	Poole
	Rutland
	Telford and the Wrekin
	Torbay
	York

Rough Sleepers

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action he is taking to reduce the number of rough sleepers over the winter.

Yvette Cooper: The Homelessness Directorate within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister brings together the work of the former Rough Sleepers Unit, the Bed and Breakfast Unit and a team to ensure the effective implementation of the Homelessness Act 2002 and assist local authorities in the development of strategies to tackle homelessness.
	The Directorate continues to work closely with local authorities and voluntary sectors to reduce the number of rough sleepers throughout the year.
	As of June 2003, local authority statistics show that 504 people were sleeping rough on any single night. This figure sustained my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's target to reduce rough sleeping by at least two-thirds from a baseline figure of 1,850 in June 1998 and is the lowest recorded level.
	To ensure the two thirds reduction is sustained, key local authorities have been asked to draw up strategies for their areas for the period up to 31 March 2004 in consultation with local voluntary agencies and other partner organisations.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on how many occasions between 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2003 (a) departmental and (b) non-departmental Special Advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost.

Yvette Cooper: Between 29 May 2002 and 31 March 2003, Special Advisers in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have travelled abroad on four occasions, at an average cost of £3,770 per trip, visiting Brazil, South Africa, India and Denmark on official business. All travel by Special Advisers is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

Tenancy Deposit Scheme

Martin Caton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of private landlords in England and their agents have participated in the voluntary tenancy deposit scheme.

Keith Hill: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, South on 22 October 2002, Official Report, column 564W.

Tenancy Deposit Scheme

Martin Caton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions members of his Department have held with representatives of the Welsh Assembly Government on extending the voluntary tenancy deposit scheme to Wales.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not discussed with the Welsh Assembly extending the pilot Tenancy Deposit Scheme. Since it has been a voluntary scheme, it is for the Assembly to decide if it should wish to implement a similar scheme in Wales.

Tenancy Deposit Scheme

Martin Caton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the voluntary tenancy deposit scheme in England.

Keith Hill: The University of York evaluated the pilot Tenancy Deposit Scheme. This was published in December 2002 in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister report "An Evaluation of the Pilot Tenancy Deposit Scheme".

Tenancy Deposit Scheme

Martin Caton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what plans he has to introduce legislation to govern deposits made to landlords by tenants;
	(2)  if he will introduce a statutory tenancy deposit scheme to (a) hold deposit moneys and (b) independently resolve disputes between landlord and tenant at the end of a tenancy.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister intends to meet the Law Commission and stakeholders later this year, to discuss the possibility of legislating for the protection of tenancy moneys in connection with the Law Commission's work on tenure reform.

Tenancy Deposit Scheme

Martin Caton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the extent to which private landlords unjustifiably withhold deposits paid by tenants.

Keith Hill: The Survey of English Housing has for several years asked tenants about what happened to the deposit for the tenancy they had left most recently. The survey has consistently reported that up to 20 per cent. of tenants considered that the withholding of their deposits, either in part or in full, had to some extent been unreasonable. These figures are, of course, based on tenant perception, and on any objective test, such as independent adjudication, a lower figure of unjustified withholding might be expected.